Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Laboratory Protocol for Genetic Gut Content Analyses of Aquatic Macroinvertebrates Using Group-specific rDNA Primers
Published on: October 5, 2017
Including parasites in food webs
1Odum School of Ecology, University of Georgia, 140 E. Green Street, Athens, GA 30602, USA. jebyers@uga.edu
Abstract:
Growing evidence indicates parasite inclusion in food-web analyses is a logical default. Comparisons of food webs including and excluding host-parasite interactions demonstrate the influence of parasites on community dynamics. Although including parasites is undoubtedly informative, the necessary level of detail exists for only a handful of systems. In a recent Ecology Letters article, Lafferty et al. pose many good questions to catalyze discussions for determining when and how parasites should be incorporated into food-web analyses.
Related Concept Videos
Microbial Interactions: Parasitism
Diversity of Protists II
Overview of Protists
Trophic Levels
Epiphytes, Parasites, and Carnivores
Symbiosis

