First Identification and Molecular Characterization of (Nematoda: Trichinellidae) from the Pine Marten ( Linnaeus, 1758) in Romania.

spp. are etiological zoonotic agents spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles; they evolve via two cycles: domestic and sylvatic. is a carnivorous nocturnal mammal from the family Mustelidae. In Romania, this host is widespread in all forests of the country. has an extremely voracious appetite, feeding on fruit and also on a variety of small animals, including rodents such as mice and rats. The aim of this study was the identification and molecular characterization of larvae isolated from the muscle tissue of collected in different counties of Romania. The muscle samples were examined via artificial digestion, and the larvae were identified at the species level via multiplex PCR. The presence of larvae belonging to , a species frequently identified in wild carnivores in temperate zones, was observed. Although has been already reported in several host species in Romania, this is the first time this species has been observed in a specimen. This finding contributes to our knowledge about the host species involved in the maintenance of the sylvatic cycle in Romania, and it confirms that this parasite is consistently present in the wild fauna of this country.