First molecular detection of Sarcocystis arctica (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae) infecting crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) in Brazil

Abstract The crab-eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) is a wild carnivore with a broad geographic distribution, randing from Costa Rica to South America. This species remains understudied, particularly regarding Sarcocystis spp. infections. This study aimed to report the first molecular detection of Sarcocystis arctica in P. cancrivorus. The roadkill specimen, recovered from the highway of Pedro Osório, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, was subjected to necropsy. Tissues samples, bone marrow and blood were collected, and their genomic DNA was extracted. PCR amplification targeting 18S rRNA, COX1 and 28S genes, genetic sequencing and phylogenetic analysis confirmed the presence of S. arctica DNA in cardiac muscle samples. Molecular characterization showed 98.62-99.6% identity to sequences of this species deposited in GenBank. We report the first documentation of S. arctica infection in a P. cancrivorus heart sample. While species within the genus Procyon serve as definitive and intermediate hosts for other Sarcocystis species, it is uncertain whether P. cancrivorus acts as an aberrant host or plays a regular role in the protozoan life cycle, particularly in muscle tissue. Additionally, its impact on P. cancrivorus populations is still unknown, highlighting the need for further studies.