A snapshot of parasites in tropical and subtropical freshwater wetlands: modest attention for major players

Abstract

Given the unique diversity in wetlands and the fact that parasite richness often outnumbers that of free-living organisms, tropical freshwater wetlands are expected to display an extensive and diverse parasite assemblage. Rather than an exhaustive encyclopedic overview, we aim to provide the reader with a flavor of the taxonomic diversity of water-borne parasites. The importance of parasites to wetland ecology and host conservation will be highlighted using relevant case studies. Given the intricate link between the health of people, animals, and ecosystems, this chapter takes an integrative view to parasites and alternate hosts, including vectors, of tropical wetlands. To enable such a “One Health” approach, we highlight some aspects of parasite and vector biology that merit increased scientific attention.