The arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus), an apex predator with an omnipresent distribution in the Arctic, is a potential source of intestinal parasites that may endanger people and pet animals such as dogs, thus posing a health risk. Non-invasive methods, such as coprology, are often the only option when studying wildlife parasitic fauna. However, the detection and identification of parasites are significantly enhanced when used in combination with methods of molecular biology. Using both approaches, we identified unicellular and multicellular parasites in faeces of arctic foxes and carcasses of sibling voles (Microtus levis) in Svalbard, where molecular methods are used for the first time. Six new species were detected in the arctic fox in Svalbard, Eucoleus aerophilus, Uncinaria stenocephala, Toxocara canis, Trichuris vulpis, Eimeria spp., and Enterocytozoon bieneusi, the latter never found in the arctic fox species before. In addition, only one parasite was found in the sibling vole in Svalbard, the Cryptosporidium alticolis, which has never been detected in Svalbard before.

Centre for Polar Ecology Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Branišovská 1760 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Department of Parasitology Faculty of Science University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Branišovská 1760 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Faculty of Agriculture University of South Bohemia in České Budějovice Studentská 1668 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Institute of Parasitology Biology Centre CAS Branišovská 1160 31 370 05 České Budějovice Czech Republic

Norwegian Polar Institute Fram Centre Postbox 6606 Langnes NO 9296 Tromsø Norway

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