First molecular identification and characterization of Taenia lynciscapreoli in the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) and Hydatigera taeniaeformis sensu stricto in domestic cats (Felis catus) from Central Asia

Investigations of taeniid fauna in felids, including the Eurasian lynx, in Central Asia have so far relied exclusively on traditional morphological methods. However, species identification based solely on morphological features can be unreliable. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to identify and characterize taeniid species from the Eurasian lynx and domestic cats in Kazakhstan using molecular techniques. Taeniid cestodes were collected from the intestines of 18 Eurasian lynx from northern and central Kazakhstan. In addition, 856 fecal samples from domestic cats in Astana, Almaty, and Kostanay were examined for cestode proglottids and eggs. Taeniid infection was detected in 7 (39%) of the lynx examined, and 5 (0.6%) of the cats were coproscopically positive for taeniid eggs or proglottids. Genomic DNA was extracted from isolated taeniid specimens obtained from each positive lynx and from taeniid-positive feline fecal samples, and mitochondrial DNA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction using species-specific primers and subsequently sequenced. Taenia lynciscapreoli was molecularly identified in the Eurasian lynx, and Hydatigera taeniaeformis sensu stricto (s.s.) in domestic cats. This study represents the first molecular identification and characterization of both taeniid species in Central Asia. Further investigations are required to identify the natural intermediate hosts of T. lynciscapreoli in Kazakhstan.