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Peer-reviewedCC BY 4.0Parasitology

Molecular identification and distribution of Dictyocaulus spp. in wild ungulates in Lithuania

  • Silvija Misailovė-Ribokė1
  • Indrė Lipatova1
  • Irma Ražanskė1
  • Povilas Sakalauskas1
  • Vytautas Mažeika1
  • Muza Kirjušina2
  • Artūras Kibiša1
  • Algimantas Paulauskas1
  1. 1Faculty of Natural Sciences, Vytautas Magnus University, Kaunas, Lithuania
  2. 2Institute of Life Sciences and Technology, Daugavpils Universitate, Daugavpils, Latvia
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Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the diversity, prevalence and host specificity of Dictyocaulus lungworms in free-ranging wild ungulates in Lithuania using morphological and molecular approaches. A total of 129 individuals representing 4 host species (red deer, roe deer, moose and European bison) were examined. Four Dictyocaulus species were identified: D. cervi, D. skrjabini, D. capreolus and D. viviparus bisontis. Infection parameters varied markedly among host species. Red deer showed the highest prevalence and parasite diversity, whereas European bison exhibited low prevalence but relatively high infection intensity. Moose displayed intermediate infection levels with a high proportion of co-infections, while roe deer were infected exclusively with the host-specific species D. capreolus. Co-infections involving multiple Dictyocaulus species were common in cervids, indicating complex transmission dynamics. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (SSU rDNA) markers confirmed species identification and revealed clear genetic differentiation among taxa. Phylogenetic incongruences between markers suggest potentially complex evolutionary relationships, possibly influenced by co-infections and host overlap. These findings provide the first comprehensive insight into Dictyocaulus infections in wild ungulates in Lithuania and highlight the importance of combining morphological and molecular methods for accurate parasite identification. The results contribute to a better understanding of lungworm epidemiology and host–parasite interactions in wildlife and emphasize the need for improved surveillance strategies.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{misailovėribokė2026molecular,
  title = {{Molecular identification and distribution of Dictyocaulus spp. in wild ungulates in Lithuania}},
  author = {Silvija Misailovė-Ribokė and Indrė Lipatova and Irma Ražanskė and Povilas Sakalauskas and Vytautas Mažeika and Muza Kirjušina and Artūras Kibiša and Algimantas Paulauskas},
  journal = {Parasitology},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1017/s0031182026102704},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182026102704},
  note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Molecular identification and distribution of Dictyocaulus spp. in wild ungulates in Lithuania
AU  - Silvija Misailovė-Ribokė
AU  - Indrė Lipatova
AU  - Irma Ražanskė
AU  - Povilas Sakalauskas
AU  - Vytautas Mažeika
AU  - Muza Kirjušina
AU  - Artūras Kibiša
AU  - Algimantas Paulauskas
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/16
JO  - Parasitology
DO  - 10.1017/s0031182026102704
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182026102704
AB  - This study aimed to investigate the diversity, prevalence and host specificity of Dictyocaulus lungworms in free-ranging wild ungulates in Lithuania using morphological and molecular approaches. A total of 129 individuals representing 4 host species (red deer, roe deer, moose and European bison) were examined. Four Dictyocaulus species were identified: D. cervi, D. skrjabini, D. capreolus and D. viviparus bisontis. Infection parameters varied markedly among host species. Red deer showed the highest prevalence and parasite diversity, whereas European bison exhibited low prevalence but relatively high infection intensity. Moose displayed intermediate infection levels with a high proportion of co-infections, while roe deer were infected exclusively with the host-specific species D. capreolus. Co-infections involving multiple Dictyocaulus species were common in cervids, indicating complex transmission dynamics. Molecular analyses based on mitochondrial (cox1) and nuclear (SSU rDNA) markers confirmed species identification and revealed clear genetic differentiation among taxa. Phylogenetic incongruences between markers suggest potentially complex evolutionary relationships, possibly influenced by co-infections and host overlap. These findings provide the first comprehensive insight into Dictyocaulus infections in wild ungulates in Lithuania and highlight the importance of combining morphological and molecular methods for accurate parasite identification. The results contribute to a better understanding of lungworm epidemiology and host–parasite interactions in wildlife and emphasize the need for improved surveillance strategies.
SN  - 0031-1820
SN  - 1469-8161
ER  -