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Open research questions in Parasite Biology and Host Interactions

46 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 414 Parasite Biology and Host Interactions papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • The complexity of host-parasite dynamics in freshwater ecosystems. The need for integrated management strategies that account for parasites in conservation and public health planning. The challenge of balancing human activities with the need to protect freshwater ecosystems and parasite communities.

    Shifting waters: how habitat alteration affects host-parasite dynamics in freshwater ecosystems · 2026 · DOI

  • The author identifies a gap in the study of neogreco literature. She notes that female writers, such as Angelica Palli, have been neglected. The author reflects on the need for more research on the relevance of neogreco to contemporary society.

    Intervista a Caterina Carpinato · 2026 · DOI

  • The complexity of flea phylogenetics. The need for accurate identification and classification of flea species.

    The first complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Neopsylla specialis dechingensis and Neopsylla stevensi sichuanyunnana, with an assessment of their phylogenetic placement · 2026 · DOI

  • The original storage of the specimens in formalin precluded molecular analysis. The conservation status of the host species limited the collection of new specimens.

    Aethycteron malleusodes n. sp. (Monopisthocotylea: Dactylogyridae) from the threatened leopard darter, Percina pantherina (Moore & Reeves) (Perciformes: Percidae), in the Cossatot River, Arkansas, USA · 2026 · DOI

  • Further study of the parasites of the leopard darter fish is needed. Molecular analysis of the parasite could provide additional information. The study of the parasites of other host species could contribute to the understanding of the diversity of parasites.

    Aethycteron malleusodes n. sp. (Monopisthocotylea: Dactylogyridae) from the threatened leopard darter, Percina pantherina (Moore & Reeves) (Perciformes: Percidae), in the Cossatot River, Arkansas, USA · 2026 · DOI

  • The study only collected fish from two localities. The sample size was limited to 68 fish. The study did not investigate other potential factors influencing infection patterns.

    Larvae of Hysterothylacium sp. (Ascaridida: Raphidascarididae) affecting the condition factor of Piabina argentea (Characiformes: Stevardiidae) in the Pardo River Basin, Brazil: an integrative approach · 2026 · DOI

  • The lack of genetic data for the type species Hysterothylacium brachyurum. The limited understanding of the taxonomic complexity of the genus Hysterothylacium.

    Larvae of Hysterothylacium sp. (Ascaridida: Raphidascarididae) affecting the condition factor of Piabina argentea (Characiformes: Stevardiidae) in the Pardo River Basin, Brazil: an integrative approach · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for further monitoring and the development of targeted preventive measures against taeniid infections in domestic and wild animal populations. The study aims to address the gap in knowledge on the occurrence, host range, and seasonal patterns of T. pisiformis infection among domestic and wild mammals in the Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan.

    Taenia pisiformis Bloch, 1780 (Cestoda) as an endoparasite of mammals · 2026 · DOI

  • The study addresses the lack of data on the distribution of Nippotaenia mogurndae in European part of Russia. The authors identify a gap in the understanding of the stability of the parasitic subsystem in water bodies under significant anthropogenic stress.

    New data on Nippotaenia mogurndae distributed together with its fish host in European part of Russia · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of research on the parasitological fauna of golden jackals in Poland. The study addresses the gap in knowledge about the zoonotic potential of the parasites carried by golden jackals.

    Golden jackals as hosts of zoonotic parasites: preliminary findings from southern Poland · 2026 · DOI

  • There are no detailed records of Oochoristica infecting desert lizards in the Palearctic Region of China. The study aims to fill this gap by describing a new species of Oochoristica.

    Molecular characterisation and phylogenetic placement of a new cestode, <i>Oochoristica turpanoeremiadis</i> sp. nov. (Cestoda: Cyclophyllidea: Linstowiidae), parasitising <i>Eremias roborowskii</i> from Turpan Basin in China · 2026 · DOI

  • The parasitological study of reptiles, particularly lizards, remains relatively understudied in Africa. There is a need for further research on the parasite-host relationship in different ecosystems.

    Helminth fauna and infection intensity of the rainbow lizard (Agama agama) in Northwest University Campuses, Kano, Nigeria · 2026 · DOI

  • The paper identifies a gap in the current understanding of the impacts of habitat alteration on host-parasite dynamics in freshwater ecosystems. It highlights the need for further research on the effects of human activities on parasite communities and ecosystem functioning.

    Shifting waters: how habitat alteration affects host-parasite dynamics in freshwater ecosystems · 2026 · DOI

  • Many filarial species remain poorly characterized due to limitations in relying solely on molecular data. The taxonomic placement of previously uncharacterized filarial species within the family Onchocercidae and the genus Dirofilaria is unclear.

    Diverse Onchocercidae from Malaysian cats and Indonesian macaques: Morphological and molecular analysis of individual microfilariae using mitochondrial genomes, 28S rRNA, and Wolbachia endosymbiont sequences · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a need for broader-acting and more sustainable approaches to managing parasitic infections. Conventional antiparasitic drugs have limited effectiveness due to drug resistance and toxicity. Bioactive natural compounds may provide a safer and more effective alternative to conventional antiparasitic drugs.

    Alternative Approaches to Parasites and Natural Treatment Options · 2026 · DOI

  • There is a lack of information on the molecular identification and life cycle of C. rudolphii in P. carbo sinensis. There is a need to understand the histopathology of C. rudolphii infection in the cormorant's digestive tract.

    Molecular identification, life cycle and histopathology of <i>Contracaecum rudolphii</i> infecting <i>Phalacrocorax carbo sinensis</i> in northern Italy · 2026 · DOI

  • for its protection. Ecology and Evolution 14, e70156. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.70156 Kremnev, G., Gonchar, A., Krapivin, V., Knyazeva, O. and Krupenko, D. (2020). First elucidation of the life cycle in the family Brachycladiidae (Digenea), parasites of marine mammals.

    Molecular investigation of <i>Campula oblonga</i> (Cobbold, 1858) reveals complex evolutionary history of parasites within the family Brachycladiidae (Odhner, 1905), parasites of wild cetaceans. · 2026 · DOI

  • Smith (1990) emphasizes that very little is known about the ecological parameters of egg and larval survival and that eggs and larvae can survive in cold environments.

    American hookworm antiquity · 2001 · DOI

  • It is not yet known whether peroxidized lipids are found in the cuti- cular membrane, but since this layer contains lipids in all nema- todes studied thus far (Bird, 1971), it is probable that these mem- brane lipids would also be subject to age-related peroxidation and consequent loss of function.

    Age-related increase of cuticle permeability in the nematode<i>caenorhabditis briggsae</i> · 1976 · DOI

  • There is a gap in understanding the transmission of Ascaris in Aotearoa. The distinction between A. suum and A. lumbricoides is debated.

    Autochthonous ascariasis in Aotearoa · 2026 · DOI

  • The findings highlight the importance of investigating the parasite fauna in the Salgado River and Tocantins-Araguaia River basin ecosystems, which remain largely understudied, providing a solid foundation for future phylogenetic analyses.

    Integrative taxonomy of Anacanthorus spp. (Monopisthocotyla, Dactylogyridae) parasitizing the gills of Triportheus spp. (Characiformes, Triportheidae) from Brazil · 2026 · DOI

  • The study aimed to fill the knowledge gap on the parasitic fauna associated with C. jacchus in Northeastern Brazil.

    High parasitism by Primasubulura jacchi (Ascaridida: Subuluridae) and infestation of Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (Acari: Ixodidae) in Callithrix jacchus (Primates: Callitrichidae) in Northeastern Brazil · 2026 · DOI

  • Continuous expansion of the genome database to accurately identify and classify flea species.

    The first complete mitochondrial genome sequences of Neopsylla specialis dechingensis and Neopsylla stevensi sichuanyunnana, with an assessment of their phylogenetic placement · 2026 · DOI

  • These transitions are thought to be triggered by host-derived factors, yet the identity of the host cues and the parasite molecules that sense them remain unknown.

    Host-derived lipoprotein is an environmental cue for asexual reproduction via a lipoprotein receptor homolog in a cestode · 2026 · DOI

  • Studies related to this genus remain scarce, particularly regarding genetic characterizations, due to the difficulty in obtaining the parasite specimens.

    Additional morphological data and first genetic characterization on females of Micropleura vazi Travassos, 1933, parasitic in Caiman yacare from Brazil, with comments on the phylogeny of Dracunculoidea (Nematoda) · 2026 · DOI

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46 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 414 Parasite Biology and Host Interactions papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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