Prevalence and Characterization of Species in Tibetan Antelope ().

is an enteric parasite, which can infect multiple mammals including livestock and wildlife. Tibetan Antelope () is one of the most famous wildlife species, that belongs to the first class protected wild animals in China. However, it has not been known whether Tibetan Antelope is infected with so far. The objective of the present study was to determine the prevalence and characterization of species infection in Tibetan Antelope and the corresponding species by using molecular biological method. In the current study, a total of 627 fecal samples were randomly collected from Tibetan Antelope in the Tibet Autonomous Region (2019-2020), and were examined by PCR amplification of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) gene. Among 627 samples, 19 (3.03%, 19/627) were examined as -positive, with 7 (2.33%, 7/300) in females and 12 (3.67%, 12/327) in males. The analysis of SSU rRNA gene sequence suggested that only two species, namely, and , were identified in this study. This is the first evidence for an existence of in Tibetan Antelope. These findings extend the host range for spp. and also provide important data support for prevention and control of infection in Tibetan Antelope.