Abstract
This study presents the first molecularly confirmed identification of the cestode Spirometra mansoni in the golden jackals (Canis aureus) in Croatia, and possibly the first such report in Europe. Of 198 jackals examined between 2020 and 2025, adult Spirometra worms were recovered from three individuals. The morphological characteristics of these specimens were consistent with S. mansoni, and their identity was confirmed by PCR and sequencing of the mitochondrial cox1 and nad1 genes. Phylogenetic analysis grouped the obtained sequences within the S. mansoni clade, with strong posterior probability support. This finding expands the known host range and geographic distribution of S. mansoni and underscores the importance of integrating molecular diagnostics in parasitological surveys. Further research is needed to assess the role of golden jackals and other wildlife in the epidemiology of Spirometra spp. in Europe.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 1629099 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Frontiers in Veterinary Science |
| Volume | 12 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 11 Aug 2025 |
Funding
The author(s) declare that financial support was received for the research and/or publication of this article. This study was funded by the European Union (NextGenerationEU) and supported by the Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia through project NPOO 5 at the Croatian Veterinary Institute (Molecular identification of nematodes, tapeworms, flukes and obligate myasis of domestic and wild animals, PARAKOD).
| Funders |
|---|
| The Ministry of Science and Education of the Republic of Croatia |
| European Union Next Generation EU |
Austrian Fields of Science 2012
- 403023 Veterinary parasitology
- 405005 Wildlife science
Keywords
- Canis aureus
- cox1
- Croatia
- nad1
- Spirometra mansoni