CONFIRMATION OF SARCOCYSTIS INFECTIONS IN TONGUES OF FLORIDA PANTHERS (PUMA CONCOLOR CORYI).

This study reports the prevalence, morphological, and molecular identification of Sarcocystis species in the tongues of Florida panthers (Puma concolor coryi). By light microscopy, sarcocysts were found in 46 of 108 (42.6%) panthers and appeared to represent at least 2 morphological types. One morphological type had serrations on the sarcocyst wall and resembled Sarcocystis felis reported from domestic and wild felids; molecular characterization using the ITS1 gene confirmed its identity. The second kind of sarcocyst had a smooth sarcocyst wall without any visible protrusions. The possibility of other unidentified Sarcocystis species is discussed.