Steppe Mammal-Parasite Networks

Parasitism has evolved repeatedly times on the Tree of Life, but our knowledge of diversity, geographic distributions, host associations, and ecology of global parasite faunas remains fragmentary. This is especially true for poorly monitored regions of the world from which novel pathogens may continue to emerge. STEPP-NET is an NSF-funded, international effort to advance discovery of mammal-associated macroparasites in Central Asia. We use genetic/genomic tools and environmental proxies to understand flea, louse, and cestode biodiversity in the vast, iconic, and changing grasslands of Mongolia and Kazakhstan. ​

- 2022 Mongolian expedition highlights -