Investigations of Red Deer (Cervus Elaphus) Sarcocystis Species Composition in Lithuania

Thirty seven red deer (Cervus elaphus) individuals hunted in four districts of Lithuania (Molėtai, Širvintos, Ukmergė, and Alytus) were investigated. Cysts of Sarcocystis were detected in muscle preparations stained with methylene blue of 26 (70.2 ± 7.5%) individuals. Three types of cysts differentiated under a light microscope were identified as belonging to the species S. cf. capreolicanis, S. cf. hofmanni, and Sarcocystis sp. (S. cf. grueneri?). It was found out that from one to three Sarcocystis species may parasitise one individual. In addition, it was established that as far as morphological features are concerned S. cf. capreolicanis and S. cf. hofmanni parasitising red deer are identical with, respectively, S. capreolicanis and S. cf. hofmanni parasitising roe deer (Capreolus capreolus). Sarcocystis sp. (S. cf. grueneri?) was recorded in Lithuania for the first time.