Parasites: from conservation’s ugly duckling to unsung heroes of ecosystems
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.30973/inventio/2026.22.56/1Keywords:
parasites, host, food web, conservation, extinción, extinctionAbstract
Parasites play an important role in ecosystems, as they regulate the populations regulators of their hosts, maintain the natural balance, and serve as excellent indicators of ecosystem health. However, the negative perception of parasites has excluded them from conservation discussions, therefore, this article focuses on the role of parasites from different perspectives, including extinction rates, species conservation, and biological diversity. This discussion also addresses why they should be included in conservation agendas, not only in Mexico but also in the other parts of the world. This information provides a comprehensive understanding of these diversity of a group that serves as an indicator of ecosystem health.
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