Parasites seen as sign of global warming

It isn't glamorous, but researchers say we need to know a lot more about parasites in the Arctic.

No, not politicians, but the little animals that infest other animals – things like flatworms, blood flukes, warble flies, and intestinal worms.

Parasitologists working around the circumpolar world say more research needs to be done before more parasites come North.

Aedes Scheer is one of just a few researchers across the North who studies parasites.

About eight months ago the Yukon biologist discovered what she believes is a new nematode, or worm, infesting animals in the Porcupine caribou herd.

The question though is whether this worm is new to the Porcupine caribou or whether it's new to researchers. A similar worm has been seen in other Arctic animals.

"You need to have a good baseline of information and we simply don't have that about the Porcupine caribou or any of the other herds," she says. "We don't have a really good feeling what's going on with the musk oxen or the Hart River caribou or any of the other animals."

Researchers from across the circumpolar world agree with Scheer. Six years ago, they formed the research group for Arctic parasitology.

Susan Kutz from the University of Saskatchewan is one of the group's founding members.

She says knowing what parasites exist will help researchers track the impact of global warming on Arctic mammals. Parasites can act as indicator species for climate change.

"There's new parasites being introduced, the climate is conducive to them doing well they can go from this animal that has moved North and jump to other hosts," she says. "In order to know if this is happening we need to know what's out there to start with. This is where some of the urgency comes in."

Kutz says research like Scheer's is crucial is piecing together the overall parasite picture.

She says the situation needs more attention and money if these parasites are to be understood.