Parasite conservation: from theory to practice

at ICCB 2025 (32nd International Congress for Conservation Biology)

Date

Tue, June 17

Time

15:15 - 16:15

Location

Mezzanine Level Meeting Room M9

About

Parasites are often unseen, or are seen as problems – when addressing wildlife conservation.

Yet – they are essential components of ecosystems – and holistic approaches to conservation are increasingly considering the preservation of these important components of biodiversity and the interactions they have with their hosts.

While there has been increasing discussion and interest in parasite conservation in the last five years, the practical application of these approaches has been limited, and successful examples of conservation interventions is sparse.

In this symposium – we bring together parasite conservation practitioners and scientists from a broad range of sub-disciplines to discuss where parasite conservation is at as a field, identify how to best integrate parasite conservation into conservation management, and look at case studies where parasite conservation has taken place and what factors could influence conservation success.

Co-organizers:
Stephanie Godfrey (New Zealand)

Mackenzie Kwak (Japan)

Chenhua Li (New Zealand)

Presentations

Amanda Ash
Murdoch University
Australia

Endangered Hosts and their Parasites:
The Importance of Taxonomic and Molecular Identification

Abstract:

Parasites are the most common lifestyle on the planet which play critical roles in ecological communities and yet are significantly under researched. This is especially the case for wildlife hosts whereby many parasite species are yet to be formally described. Of particular importance are those parasite species found on only one host species as these are vulnerable to extinction if their host population dramatically declines or disappears. The extent to which parasites are threatened with these co-extinction events is difficult to estimate with any degree of confidence, because so many parasite species have yet to be identified. However, it is likely many have already been lost without becoming known to science. Obtaining parasite specimens from wildlife hosts is usually reliant on conservation interventions for these hosts, both captive and wild, which include monitoring and collection of biological samples. The taxonomic description of collected specimens requires parasitologist expertise however the increased use of molecular assays is supporting a wider network of researchers in this field. Here we describe the taxonomic and molecular description of three host specific parasites obtained from three critically endangered native Australian hosts collected during conservation efforts. Hosts are the western ground parrot (Pezoporus flaviventris) the dibbler (Parantechinus apicallis) and the woylie (Bettongia penicillata), all restricted to the southwest corner of Australia. The importance of these descriptions for both host and parasite conservation are discussed.

Stephanie Godfrey
University of Otago

New Zealand

Conserving parasites through conservation translocations; does it work?

Abstract:

The conservation of parasites has recently been the focus of renewed interest from parasitologists and conservationists alike. However, while numerous publications have focused on the theory behind parasite conservation, practical applications are severely lacking. The conservation of parasites is perhaps most practically implemented when undertaking conservation of the host; and conservation translocations present an ideal opportunity to undertake a more holistic conservation approach. In this talk, I discuss several case studies that have actively included parasites as part of conservation planning and evaluate the outcomes of those translocations to identify any generalities that can be learned and applied to other conservation translocations that are inclusive of parasites. In general, translocations including parasites have had varied success, from outright failure of the parasite to persist, through to successful establishment of the parasite in the new host population. Outcomes seem to be driven by a range of factors, and likely stochastic processes as well, making success difficult to predict – at least with current data. Given that translocations are difficult to replicate at the scale needed to establish what factors govern the success of parasites in translocations, better parasite monitoring and reporting when translocations are undertaken would greatly aid further insights into improving outcomes for parasites in conservation.

Chenhua Li

University of Otago
New Zealand

The role of science communication in parasite conservation: examples from the Global Parasitologist Coalition

Abstract:

Parasites are integral components of ecosystems, contributing to biodiversity and maintaining ecological balance. Despite their importance, parasites are often overlooked or misunderstood due to their association with disease, presenting a challenge for their conservation. The Global Parasitologist Coalition (GlobalPC) addresses this issue through innovative science communication initiatives aimed at reshaping public perceptions and fostering awareness of parasites' ecological roles. In this talk, I will highlight the novel interactive outreach materials GlobalPC has generated combining science and art, including the Parasite Personality Quiz, parasite cards (Phenomenal Parasites™), and parasite comics. I will also show how public's perception towards parasites can be shifted through these materials and activities. By combining interactive digital tools, tangible exhibits, and personal engagement, GlobalPC demonstrates how targeted outreach efforts can transform public perceptions, fostering greater appreciation for parasites and their conservation value. This work highlights the potential for science communication to bridge gaps between ecological research and public understanding.