Detection and Molecular Diversity of spp. and in the Endangered Iberian Lynx (), Spain.

spp. and are the main non-viral causes of diarrhoea in humans and domestic animals globally. Comparatively, much less information is currently available in free-ranging carnivore species in general and in the endangered Iberian lynx () in particular. spp. and were investigated with molecular (PCR and Sanger sequencing) methods in individual faecal DNA samples of free-ranging and captive Iberian lynxes from the main population nuclei in Spain. Overall, spp. and were detected in 2.4% (6/251) and 27.9% (70/251) of the animals examined, respectively. Positive animals to at least one of them were detected in each of the analysed population nuclei. The analysis of partial rRNA gene sequences revealed the presence of rodent-adapted ( = 1) and ( = 1), leporid-adapted ( = 2), and zoonotic ( = 2) within , and zoonotic assemblages A ( = 5) and B ( = 3) within . Subgenotyping analyses allowed for the identification of genotype VaA19 in ( locus) and sub-assemblages AI and BIII/BIV in (, , and loci). This study represents the first molecular description of spp. and in the Iberian lynx in Spain. The presence of rodent/leporid-adapted species in the surveyed animals suggests spurious infections associated to the Iberian lynx's diet. The Iberian lynx seems a suitable host for zoonotic genetic variants of () and (assemblages A and B), although the potential risk of human transmission is regarded as limited due to light parasite burdens and suspected low excretion of infective (oo)cysts to the environment by infected animals. More research should be conducted to ascertain the true impact of these protozoan parasites in the health status of the endangered Iberian lynx.