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IUCN SSC Parasite Specialist Group

IUCN COMMISSION GROUP

IUCN SSC Parasite Specialist Group

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Overview and description

Description:

Parasites are vulnerable to extinction and play important roles in ecosystems, but there are very few existing conservation policies or programs that focus on parasite conservation at any level of ...

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Parasites are vulnerable to extinction and play important roles in ecosystems, but there are very few existing conservation policies or programs that focus on parasite conservation at any level of governance. Therefore, improved education and communication are critical for parasite conservation. This group focuses on metazoan parasites that use vertebrate animal hosts. Taxonomically, this group includes parasitic worms (Cestoda; Trematoda; Acanthocephala; Nematoda; Hirudinea), parasitic insects (Phthiraptera; Siphonaptera; Hippoboscoidea; Oestridae; Polyctenidae; Cimicidae), and parasitic arachnids (Ixodida; vertebrate parasitic acari -e.g., Spinturnicidae, Trombiculidae-).

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Group leadership

Dr Skylar HOPKINS

Chair,
Co-Chair
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Skylar Hopkins is an Assistant Professor at NC State University, where she researches parasite and disease ecology to better understand how parasites are maintained in complex ecological systems…
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Skylar Hopkins is an Assistant Professor at NC State University, where she researches parasite and disease ecology to better understand how parasites are maintained in complex ecological systems. Her research falls under the One Health umbrella and aims to simultaneously safeguard or improve the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

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Dr Mackenzie KWAK

Co-Chair
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Mackenzie Kwak is a parasitologist based at Hokkaido University (Japan) where his research focuses on the ecology and conservation of parasites, systematics and species discovery, as well as…
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Mackenzie Kwak is a parasitologist based at Hokkaido University (Japan) where his research focuses on the ecology and conservation of parasites, systematics and species discovery, as well as zoonotic diseases and human health. He has a particular passion for ectoparasites, primarily ticks, mites, and fleas. 

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More about the Specialist Group

When the Parasite Specialist Group began work in 2023, fewer than 10 metazoan parasites that use vertebrate hosts had been assessed for the IUCN Red List, yet as much as 30% of parasite species are estimated to be at risk of extinction in the next century. To better understand where and why parasite species are threatened, the Parasite Specialist Group is facilitating more assessments for individual parasite species.

MISSION
Assess extinction risks for metazoan parasites that use vertebrate hosts, a trophic group that is currently extremely underrepresented on the IUCN Red List. Additionally, our group aims to develop the first best practice guidelines and species recovery plans for threatened metazoan parasites that use vertebrate hosts and to broadly communicate the importance of parasite conservation. 

At a glance

Official name:
IUCN SSC Parasite Specialist Group
Associated Commissions:
Species Survival Commission
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