BACKGROUND: Platyhelminthes are common parasites of diurnal birds of prey, including common buzzard (Buteo buteo). They are widely distributed in Europe. Despite the extensive study of flatworms across the continent, this study represents the first report for Romania and extends the biogeographic knowledge of Platyhelminthes in diurnal raptors. It also identifies common buzzards as a new host of Parastrigea flexilis in Europe. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2017 and 2020, 63 common buzzards (Buteo buteo) found road killed or dead due to other causes were collected from Romania. All specimens were necropsied and examined for internal helminths, which were preserved in ethanol for molecular identification and formaldehyde for morphological identification. RESULTS: Species identified included Cestoda: Cladotaenia globifera (33.3%) and five species of Trematoda: Neodiplostomum attenuatum (12.7%), Strigea falconis (6.4%), Parastrigea flexilis (3.2%), Neodiplostomum spathoides (3.2%) and Brachylaima fuscata (1.6%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides new data about diversity, phylogenetics and geographical distribution of Platyhelminthes parasitizing Buteo buteo in Romania. To our best knowledge, it identifies B. buteo as a new host of Parastrigea flexilis and reports the first genetic sequence of Neodiplostomum spathoides.

Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases of Cluj Napoca 23 Iuliu Moldovan 400348 Cluj Napoca Romania

Comenius Museum Moravian Ornithological Station Přerov Czech Republic

Department of Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Cluj Napoca Calea Mănăștur 3 5 400372 Cluj Napoca Romania

Romanian Wilderness Society Hațeg Str Mihai Eminescu nr 98 Hunedoara 335500 Romania

Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Center Visul Luanei Foundation Cheiul Dambovitei Popesti Leordeni 077160 Romania

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