The Genetic Identification of Numerous Apicomplexan Species in Intestines of Common Buzzard ()

The common Buzzard () was previously shown to transmit two species ( and ) forming cysts in the brains of rodents. Due to a lack of research, the richness of species spread by these birds of prey is expected to be much higher. A total of 30 samples of the small intestine of the Common Buzzard were collected in Lithuania and subjected to species identification based on nested PCR of rRNA and , following the sequencing of amplified DNA fragments. Six known spp., , , , , , and , along with three genetically distinct species ( sp. Rod3, sp. Rod4, and sp. Rod5), were identified. Phylogenetically, these three potentially new species clustered with spp. characterised by a rodents-birds life cycle. spp. employing rodents and birds as their intermediate hosts were detected in 66.7% and 50.0% of samples, respectively. These findings are consistent with the diet preferences of Common Buzzards. Notably, co-infections with two or more species were observed in a half of the samples. Altogether, the obtained results indicate that the Common Buzzard could serve as definitive host of various species.