The First Description of Setaria Tundra (Issaitshikoff & Rajewskaya, 1928) in Roe Deer from Croatia

Area of Science:

• Veterinary parasitology
• Wildlife health
• Molecular diagnostics

Background:

• The genus *Setaria* includes 46 species parasitizing the peritoneal cavity of ungulates.
• While often asymptomatic, *Setaria* infections can cause severe disease in aberrant hosts, including neurological signs.
• The presence and impact of *Setaria* species in Croatian wildlife populations remain largely uncharacterized.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the initial identification and molecular characterization of *Setaria tundra* in roe deer (*Capreolus capreolus*) within Croatia.
• To assess the prevalence of *Setaria* infections in a Croatian roe deer population.

Main Methods:

• Necropsy and parasitological examination of 45 roe deer from Croatia.
• Molecular identification of detected *Setaria* nematodes using established genetic markers.
• Prevalence calculation based on positive samples.

Main Results:

• *Setaria* nematodes were identified in 24.4% (11 out of 45) of the examined roe deer.
• Molecular analysis confirmed the species as *Setaria tundra*.
• This represents the first documented occurrence of *Setaria tundra* in roe deer in Croatia.

Conclusions:

• *Setaria tundra* is present in the roe deer population of Croatia.
• The findings highlight the need for ongoing surveillance of parasitic infections in wildlife, particularly in shared ecosystems.
• Further research is warranted to understand the clinical significance and transmission dynamics of *Setaria tundra* in this region.