Methods for the assessment and conservation of threatened animal parasites

Abstract

Animal parasites are species rich and ecologically diverse, some with complex life cycles and life histories and consequently many are vulnerable to extinction. While the conservation biology community is becoming cognisant of the plight of threatened parasites, coupled at times with potential host co-extinction, feasible criteria have not been developed to specifically assess their threat risk and methods to conserve them have also received limited attention. Methodologies and criteria are presented here to aid the assessment of the conservation status of threatened parasites in a way consistent with the criteria of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Such assessments assist in prioritizing conservation efforts, a crucial task given parasites are integral to the functioning and survival of global ecosystems.