Blood parasites of the phylum Apicomplexa, order Adeleiorina are a diverse group of haemoparasites reported from almost all vertebrate classes. The most commonly recorded haemoparasites to parasitize anurans are species of Dactylosoma. To date, six Dactylosoma species have been described from anurans and fishes. In the present study, we used molecular characterization for identifying haemoparasites detected by microscopy in blood smears of Pelophylax ridibundus, a frog in the north of Iran. Blood samples were examined from four adult individuals. The smears were prepared and stained by Gimsa. By microscopic investigation, one individual was found positive for blood parasites. According to morphological characteristics, it was identified belongs to the genus Dactylosoma. In genetic analysis, the blast of obtained sequences from part of 18S rRNA gene sequences showed 100% identity with Dactylosoma sp. and D. ranarum. Phylogenetic analysis showed the Dactylosoma sp. of the present study as a monophyletic group in Dactylosoma species, clustered with Dactylosoma sp. and D. ranarum (support > 80%). This study is the first report of a dactylosomatid parasite from Pelophylax ridibundus.
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