Taenia hydatigena cyst. This condition is caused by the larvae of the tapeworm Taenia hydatigena . The adult tapeworm grows and lays eggs in the intestines of the carnivore.
Eggs come out in the carnivore s droppings and contaminate plants that are eaten by the herbivore.
The eggs hatch into larvae that travel to the herbivore s liver where they form cysts. Carnivores become infected when they eat liver containing cysts. The larval stage of this tapeworm can occur in caribou, moose, elk, Sitka black-tailed deer and Dall sheep. In Alaska Taenia hydatigena occurs commonly in caribou and moose. There also may be white, star-like scars on the surface of the liver.