Improved forage and living conditions in certain parts of Europe over the past few decades have led to alarming levels of ungulate densities. Consequently, the overabundance of red deer, roe deer, and fallow deer in the Western Plains of Romania has begun to generate issues in the development of young oak stands. In addition to causing damage to the agricultural sector and increasing the risk of vehicle collisions, ungulates are increasing pressure on the forestry sector, mainly through the browsing of young saplings. This study quantifies the levels of ungulate browsing in oak stands using a permanent sample grid of 42 plots in both natural and artificial regeneration areas. A total of 3223 individual saplings were measured, revealing browsing intensities of 49.65% in clearcut systems and 12.8% in continuous forest cover systems. With high ungulate densities identified as the main cause, the Sustainable Population Threshold was calculated using a complex set of indices and compared to the actual numbers of ungulates, both of which were translated into stock unit equivalents. A logistic regression model was developed based on silvicultural and wildlife indices to identify other factors influencing browsing occurrence. The findings indicate that the proportion of forested areas in the hunting ground and the type of silvicultural system are significant factors in the occurrence of browsing. The problem of ungulate overabundance clearly influences forest development, and new solutions should be identified in terms of both forestry and wildlife management.

Fascioloidosis is a parasitic disease of primary wild and domestic ruminants, caused by giant liver fluke, Fascioloides magna. The definitive host of the liver fluke in its area of origin (North America) is the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus). In Europe, the red deer (Cervus elaphus) and European fallow deer (Dama dama) are definitive hosts and the most sensitive hosts to F. magna infection, on which the parasite exerts serious pathogenic effects. In this study, we analyzed fecal samples and livers of 72 D. dama from 11 hunting grounds in Arad County, Romania. Of the 72 fecal samples and livers from D. dama, trematodes of the genus Fascioloides were identified in four (5.56%). Sequencing revealed that the trematodes identified in the samples were similar to the sequence of F. magna (GenBank no. EF534992.1, DQ683545.1, KU232369.1). The sequence obtained from the molecular analysis has been deposited in GenBank^® under accession number OQ689976.1. This study describes the first report of giant liver fluke (F. magna) infection in D. dama in Romania.

Trichinella spp. are etiological zoonotic agents that spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles. Within this genus, Trichinella pseudospiralis is the only recognized non-encapsulated species known to infect mammals and birds. This species has been reported in the majority of European countries, and the real epidemiological scenario of this species remains to be defined because its detection in mammals is much lower than that of the capsulated species. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscles of a jackal from the hunting fund of 36 Murfatlar, Constanta County, Romania. The muscle samples were examined by artificial digestion, and the larvae were identified at the species level by multiplex PCR. The presence of larvae belonging to T. pseudospiralis, a species more frequently reported in carnivorous birds, was observed. This study describes the first identification of T. pseudospiralis in a jackal. The results suggest that there is an urgent need to investigate which species of mammals and/or birds act as reservoirs for this zoonotic nematode in Romania.

Trichinella spp. are nematodes distributed throughout the world that affect an impressive number of host animals (mammals, birds, and reptiles) involved in the evolution of two cycles, the domestic and the sylvatic. The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides) is an omnivorous mammal with great ecological plasticity. The expansion of the raccoon dog in Europe is associated with the risk of the introduction and spread of different pathogens, especially zoonotic ones (Trichinella, Echinococcus). Currently, the raccoon dog’s range in Romania is limited to the Danube Delta area, the Lower Danube Meadow, and the Prut Meadow. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscles of raccoon dog from six hunting funds of Giurgeni, Ialomița County, Romania. The muscle samples were examined via artificial digestion, and the obtained larvae were processed via multiplex PCR. The PCR-amplified ESV and ITS1 DNA fragments were then sequenced for species confirmation. The species Trichinella britovi, which is the most common species identified in wild carnivores in temperate zones, was confirmed. Although T. britovi has been reported in several host animals in Romania, this case report confirms its presence in the raccoon dog for the first time.

Trichinella spp. are etiological zoonotic agents spread throughout the world and affect mammals, birds, and reptiles; they evolve via two cycles: domestic and sylvatic. Martes martes is a carnivorous nocturnal mammal from the family Mustelidae. In Romania, this host is widespread in all forests of the country. Martes martes 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 Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscle tissue of Martes martes 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 Trichinella britovi, a species frequently identified in wild carnivores in temperate zones, was observed. Although T. britovi has been already reported in several host species in Romania, this is the first time this species has been observed in a Martes martes specimen. This finding contributes to our knowledge about the host species involved in the maintenance of the Trichinella sylvatic cycle in Romania, and it confirms that this parasite is consistently present in the wild fauna of this country.

The species of the genus Trichinella are etiological agents distributed all over the world and are able to infect mammals, birds, and reptiles. Trichinella spiralis is the species most adapted to domestic and wild pigs and is also the most important etiological agent of trichinellosis. The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a nocturnal omnivorous mammal belonging to the Suidae family. S. scrofa has a great appetite and its diet includes a variety of small prey such as mice, rats, and other rodents, as well as carcasses of larger animals. The aim of this study was the identification and the molecular characterization of Trichinella larvae isolated from the muscle tissue of S. scrofa specimens collected in different counties of Romania. The muscle samples were examined by artificial digestion and the larvae identified at the species level by multiplex PCR. T. spiralis, a species that is able to infect a considerable number of different host species including humans, was identified. In Romania, S. scrofa is an important reservoir species for T. spiralis and plays an important role in linking the domestic and the wild cycle of Trichinella, with serious repercussions for human health.