Parasites have always had a bad reputation, and health professionals have warned the public for years about taking preventive measures to avoid mites, lice, ticks, mosquitoes, tapeworms and more.
But an Israeli study is challenging the conventional wisdom, highlighting parasites’ potential positive impact on ecosystems and animal survival. According to a team of Tel Aviv University researchers, parasites can play a crucial role in habitat design and the maintenance of biological diversity—even contributing to the structural balance and vitality of an ecosystem.
