Molecular Confirmation of Raptors from Spain as Definitive Hosts of Numerous Sarcocystis Species

Most raptors are flagship and umbrella species acting as ecosystem engineers. Research on avian parasites in raptors is therefore of interest. There is a lack of studies on <i>Sarcocystis</i> in naturally infected raptors. In the present work, we aimed to identify <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. in intestinal scrapings of the raptors from Spain. <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. were identified in 82.5% of the intestinal samples studied by nested PCR and sequencing of the partial <i>ITS1</i> region and <i>28S</i> rRNA. A total of nine known <i>Sarcocystis</i> species, <i>S</i>. <i>arctica</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>columbae</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>cornixi</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>glareoli</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>halieti</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>kutkienae</i>, <i>S</i>. cf <i>strixi</i>, <i>S</i>. <i>turdusi</i>, and <i>Sarcocystis</i> sp. ex <i>Corvus corax</i>, and three genetically new organisms, <i>Sarcocystis</i> sp. Rod6, <i>Sarcocystis</i> sp. Rod7, and <i>Sarcocystis</i> sp. 22AvEs1, were identified in the intestines of raptors. This study is the first report of <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. in the intestines of eleven raptor species from Spain. Furthermore, the new potential definitive hosts have been determined for seven <i>Sarcocystis</i> species. Co-infection of <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp. has also been observed, with more than one species found in 72.5% of birds. Nine different <i>Sarcocystis</i> species were identified in the intestinal samples of the Common Buzzard (<i>Buteo buteo</i>). In conclusion, raptors play an important role in the transmission of <i>Sarcocystis</i> spp.