Protozoa in the breast muscle of raptors in Germany

Seventy-nine raptors from Germany were examined for protozoan parasites in the breast muscle (musculus pectoralis). One Eurasian buzzard (n = 3) and t wo long-eared owls (n = 8) were found to be infected with three different t ypes of Sarcocystis spp. The sarcocyst found in a long-eared owl is the fir st proof for a Sarcocystis sp. with a wall structure characterised by hair- like protrusions in a bird as intermediate host. The name Sarcocystis otus sp. n. is suggested with reference to the host Asio otus. Megaloschizonts o f haematozoa were found in the skeletal muscle of a marsh harrier (n = 4) a nd a Eurasian buzzard (n = 3).