Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research

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Parasites

The Wadden Sea is a hotspot of parasite diversity. The myriads of birds, fishes and invertebrates living in the Wadden Sea serve as hosts for various parasitic groups. Parasites can directly affect the fitness of their hosts but they can also have a multitude of indirect effects on local communities and entire food webs.

Hidden diversity

Hidden diversity

Info | Coastal ecosystems harbour a rich but hidden diversity of parasites which has largely gone unnoticed to date.

Parasites matter

Parasites matter

Info | Parasites can have multiple effects on individual hosts and host populations as well as on ambient communities and the entire ecosystem.

Effects of invasive species

Effects of invasive species

Project | Invasive species can have far-reaching effects on invaded ecosystems including modifying parasite-host interactions and disease risk.

Biogeography & Macroecology

Biogeography & Macroecology

Info | The patterns and drivers of large-scale distributions of marine parasites in coastal ecosystems are still poorly understood.