Mbou-Boutambe C. auteur aut IRD Boundenga L. auteur aut IRD Degrugillier F. auteur aut IRD Gauthier Philippe auteur aut IRD Arnathau C. auteur aut IRD Rivero A. auteur aut IRD Granjon Laurent auteur aut IRD Rougeron V. auteur aut IRD Prugnolle F. auteur aut IRD text journalArticle eng text/pdf reformatted digital access Invasive species are increasingly recognized for their role in reshaping host-parasite dynamics. This study reports the first molecular detection of Plasmodium yoelii in the invasive black rat (Rattus rattus) in Gabon, based on a systematic molecular screening of 527 rodents captured in rural villages between 2021 and 2022. Two R. rattus individuals tested positive for P. yoelii, with phylogenetic analysis confirming identity with strains previously isolated from native rodents in the region. These findings challenge the traditional view that rodent malaria parasites are restricted to native hosts and highlight R. rattus as a potential, albeit likely incidental, host within local Plasmodium transmission networks. Despite a low infection prevalence (0.38 %), this result raises important questions about the capacity of invasive rodents to integrate into local parasite cycles and influence disease dynamics. specialized Black rat Plasmodium yoelii Invasive species Rural areas Gabon GABON 080 082 27 101112 [8 p.] 2025 2213-2244 https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094360 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2025.101112 2213-2244 [F B010094360] https://www.documentation.ird.fr/hor/fdi:010094360 https://horizon.documentation.ird.fr/exl-doc/pleins_textes/2025-08/010094360.pdf IRD - Base Horizon / Pleins textes 2025-08-27 2025-11-04 fdi:010094360 fre