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Parasitology is the study of parasites, organisms that have a metabolic dependence on another living organism, which we call the host. Parasites exist at the expense of the host by living on or in it and derive nourishment from it. Examples of parasites are tapeworms, flukes, roundworms, fleas, lice and ticks. Parasitic creatures fascinate people, especially parasites that live inside domestic animals, our livestock, wildlife and, of course, us! Most people will have had a personal encounter with a parasite. For example pinworms and/or head lice in children, microscopic single-celled animals that may cause stomach upset and even malaria if you’ve travelled overseas in tropical countries. If you have a dog or a cat, you may have encountered roundworms, tapeworms and/or fleas at some time. Parasitic animals are broadly grouped into single-celled (Protists), worms (Helminths) and those with hard external skeletons (Arthropods).
The South Australian Museum houses the Australian Helminthological Collection (AHC), the greatest collection of Helminth parasites in Australia. Most specimens, stored permanently preserved on glass slides or specimens in alcohol, are derived from Australian native vertebrates, but much material is from domestic and zoo animals, plus livestock. As studies of Australia’s marine environment expand and with expansion of aquaculture nationally, Helminths from our marine fauna, especially fishes, are increasing in the AHC. The collection is supported by an exceptional and extensive compilation of literature.
The AHC comprises approximately 40,000 registered “lots” with emphasis on parasitic worms from the Phyla: Nematoda or roundworms (~24,000“lots”); Platyhelminthes or flatworms, including tapeworms or the cestodes (~8,600“lots”) and flukes or the digeneans (~5,000“lots”); Acanthocephala or spiny-headed worms (~1,400 “lots”). The collection incorporates ~1,100 holotypes, ~3,200 paratypes and ~36,000 voucher specimens.
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