Systematic parasitology

Systematic parasitology

On the benefits of systematic reviews for wildlife parasitology

Systematic reviews and meta-analyses are widely accepted as the best means to synthesise quantitative or qualitative scientific evidence. Many scientific fields have embraced these more rigorous review techniques as a means to bring together large and complex bodies of literature and their data. Unfortunately, due to perceived difficulties and unfamiliarity with processes, other fields are not ...

Parasite systematics in the 21st century: opportunities and obstacles.

Taxonomic names and phylogenetic hypotheses are indispensable tools for modern biological research, both basic and applied. Like all disciplines, parasitology suffers from the 'taxonomic impediment' - a global shortage of professional taxonomists and systematists. Only a fraction of the species of parasites on this planet have been identified, and the evolutionary relationships of only a minori...

Allencotyla pricei sp. n. (Microcotyloidea: Heteraxinidae) from the gills of the pile surfperch, Damalichthys vacca (Girard), in southern California.

Allencotyla pricei sp. n. (Monogenea: Heteraxinidae) from the gills of pile surfperch, Damalichthys vacca (Girard), from Redondo Beach, California is described. This species is distinguished primarily by the prebifurcal position of the genital atrium and vagina, and by possessing an elongate esophagus. The systematic arrangement of microcotyloid forms characterized by an asymmetric haptor is di...

Metabolomic systems biology of trypanosomes.

Metabolomics analysis, which aims at the systematic identification and quantification of all metabolites in biological systems, is emerging as a powerful new tool to identify biomarkers of disease, report on cellular responses to environmental perturbation, and to identify the targets of drugs. Here we discuss recent developments in metabolomic analysis, from the perspective of trypanosome rese...