Hidden diversity of cestodes in wild African carnivores: II. Taeniidae – new findings and an updated checklist

The Taeniidae family, comprising the genera Taenia, Hydatigera, Versteria, and Echinococcus, includes cestodes of considerable significance to both human and animal health. However, current knowledge of the diversity of taeniid species in wildlife remains limited. This study examines a sample set of taeniid cestodes from African wildlife using both genetic and morphological approaches and integrates the findings into an updated checklist and definitive host index for Taeniidae documented in Africa. Furthermore, this publication provides a categorisation tool that facilitates the morphological identification of ribbon-like Taeniidae. The taeniids analysed in this study were collected from 52 individual wild definitive and eight intermediate hosts originating from Ethiopia, Namibia, and South Africa. A total of 16 Taenia species and four Hydatigera species were identified in this sample set. Among these, twelve (eleven Taenia spp. and one Hydatigera sp.) represent genetically novel lineages. One species, recovered from three servals and one rodent, was morphologically identified as Hydatigera cf. selousi, with this study presenting the first genetic data for this species. Several genetically novel Taenia lineages were identified in carnivores, including cheetah, African wolf, caracal, spotted hyaena, black-backed jackal, African wild dog, lion, and leopard. These are provisionally designated as Taenia spp. A-K, pending the availability of further material to support detailed morphological assessment and formal species description or assignment. Molecular analysis indicates that Taenia sp. F, isolated from black-backed jackals, is closely related to T. serialis sensu stricto and may possess zoonotic potential.