''Trichinella nativa'' is a nematode worm, one of the species of the genus ''

Trichinella ''Trichinella'' is the genus of parasitic roundworms of the phylum Nematoda that cause trichinosis (also known as trichinellosis). Members of this genus are often called trichinella or trichina worms. A characteristic of Nematoda is the one-way ...

'', found in arctic and subarctic regions.

Biology

It is highly pathogenic and has a high resistance to freezing. It is encapsulated, and infects a wide variety of mammals and birds. Its lifecycle and pathogenesis are similar to ''

Trichinella spiralis ''Trichinella spiralis'' is a viviparous nematode parasite, occurring in rodents, pigs, bears, hyenas and humans, and is responsible for the disease trichinosis. It is sometimes referred to as the "pork worm" due to it being typically encounte ...

''; ''T. nativa'' also can cause

trichinosis Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic disease caused by roundworms of the ''Trichinella'' type. During the initial infection, invasion of the intestines can result in diarrhea, abdominal pain, and vomiting. Migration of larv ...

. In Northern Europe ''T. nativa'' is a species commonly found in omnivores and carnivores such as wild boars, foxes, raccoon dogs and bears. This nematode infects the muscles of mammals such as the

Arctic fox The Arctic fox (''Vulpes lagopus''), also known as the white fox, polar fox, or snow fox, is a small fox native to the Arctic regions of the Northern Hemisphere and common throughout the Arctic tundra biome. It is well adapted to living in co ...

and the

polar bear The polar bear (''Ursus maritimus'') is a hypercarnivorous bear whose native range lies largely within the Arctic Circle, encompassing the Arctic Ocean, its surrounding seas and surrounding land masses. It is the largest extant bear specie ...

. To complete its lifecycle, the flesh of its host must be eaten by some other mammal. In the Arctic, the corpses of animals that die may get frozen and later be consumed by

scavenger Scavengers are animals that consume dead organisms that have died from causes other than predation or have been killed by other predators. While scavenging generally refers to carnivores feeding on carrion, it is also a herbivorous feeding b ...

s. This worm remains viable even after being frozen at for four years.

References

Trichocephalida {{Enoplea-stub