A hairworm may not be the ideal birthday gift for most, but for Dr. Christina Anaya, an assistant professor at Florida Gulf Coast University, it was a monumental find.
"I was in Tallahassee and found a hairworm in a puddle. I was the first scientist to report one in the state. It might be a type we have already had 'described,' or a new species of it," said Dr. Anaya.
Chances are, you or someone in your circle has unwittingly hosted a not-so-fun visitor -- not just a famished dinner guest but a parasite. While the idea of this pesty situation might give you an inner crawling sensation, a local parasitology enthusiast dug into this buggy dilemma, unveiling that parasites can have a silver lining.
"Parasite stands for 'one who eats at the table of others' in Greek," joked Anaya, who has been giving presentations on the topic at local meetings and expressed an interest in continuing to educate the public.
Noting estimates that 80% of humans have an unwanted connection with creatures such as tapeworms, lice, bed bugs or something else.
Anaya stated, "Every single (type of) animal on the planet is infected with parasites. You may be infected with parasites. Nearly everyone has eyelash mites that crawl along the hair follicles."
Parasites can range in size from tiny microorganisms to those over 30 feet long. Florida is home to various parasites, including the invasive flatworms, fleas, ticks, ringworms and kissing bugs. Anaya said that parasites are more common than many people think. Often referred to as the "stomach bug," parasites or parasitic bacteria can also connect to the shared stomach flu virus.
Anaya remarked, "It is hard to imagine a world without parasites," emphasizing that many people tend to concentrate on eradicating them instead of appreciating their intriguing nature.
When considering an organism that clings to a host for nourishment, often resulting in death and strange behaviors, it's tough to see any bright side. However, Anaya thinks differently.
"They help control populations," she said. "They assist in keeping insect and vertebrate populations maintained and balance our ecosystem. Without them, we would have a lot more crickets and beetles."
Passionate about parasites, she highlighted their beneficial role in local agriculture and relevance in studying both native and invasive species across Florida. She pointed out that certain parasitic species can effectively target invasive locusts that threaten crops, offering a more sustainable alternative to costly chemicals that can contaminate our food.
When an invasive species arrives that serves as a host for a parasite, it introduces the foreign organism into the ecosystem, affecting both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The parasite then infiltrates local animal populations, where it survives and initiates a new life cycle, further perpetuating the invasion of that species.
This phenomenon, or "spillover effect," has been observed in Florida's native snake populations, which have been infected with the deadly lungworm introduced by the Burmese pythons that entered the Everglades in the 1990s.
"Parasites don't want their host to die, or they will die," she said. "Sometimes, these parasites can create stronger immune systems for the host animals. There was a bird with a parasite, and when researchers removed it, the bird died without it."
Approximately 1.2 million species of parasites have been "described" or distinguished scientifically by their unique behavioral, physical and genetic characteristics and ecological niches. Having survived and evolved for centuries, experts believe many more species may remain undiscovered.
"For humans, about 150 major ones infect us," said Anaya.
Individuals can acquire a parasite through contact with contaminated water and soil, insect bites, direct interactions with infected individuals, and the ingestion of tainted foods and undercooked meats.
Anaya noted, "Studying various parasite species is important. New findings could link to other research, even in other fields."
She highlighted the significance of biodiversity and physiology alongside the study of parasites, pointing out that understanding specific animal-based organisms can impact human health and enhance our understanding of the parasites that affect humans.
"It requires an understanding of the lifecycle, as some organisms have specific hosts like bird lice or transition through multiple hosts. For instance, a mosquito might ingest an organism, which transforms into a cyst and causes the host's death. Then be eaten by a cricket, which becomes the next host, it will absorb nutrients and continue the cycle to become an adult parasite," explained Anaya.
She added, "This process can also be observed in aquatic animals. We research how climate or water temperatures can affect worms and parasites. This can connect studies from the species in Florida or the United States to those in other countries."
With worm as the word, Anaya noted that she is one of a few experts in her specialty, the hairworm. She became fascinated with wildlife biology, focusing on plant taxonomy until discovering a new species of parasite, Gordius Terrestris.
"'Gordius' is the genus of the worm, but I named it 'Terrestris,' which means 'belonging to the Earth' in Latin," she said.
Since then, the worms have taken her across four states, including a year-long search in Iceland, which was granted by a Fulbright scholarship.
"Hairworms typically inhabit water. They manipulate hosts like crickets and beetles to seek out water and dive into it. The attached parasite leaves the host after transitioning into a free-living worm. They lack mouths and eyes and do not consume food. Living for about a month, they mate in the water to begin a new lifecycle," explained Anaya. "In Oklahoma, these hairworms thrived in damp soil; it was a new species but not formally named."
Drawn to Florida for its diverse parasite and insect fauna, Anaya found herself in Fort Myers' humid climate, an ideal environment for parasites to thrive.
Until her recent encounter, only five reports of hairworms had been informally charted in Florida, primarily in regions north of Orlando. Anaya said this may be due to our sandy soils.
At FGCU, she continues advancing her research in parasitology, entomology and invasive species while mentoring inquisitive students.
Collaborating with local hunters and conservancies, she offers students the opportunity to engage in research through the Anaya Lab. The future biologists study the impact of parasites on intrusive species, including cane toads, tree frogs and a renowned 19-foot Burmese python. In the past two years, more than 100 students have participated in this unique study.
"We have dissected both the animal and its digestive tract," she says.
Utilizing specialized microscopes, they identify the parasites present. Capturing photos, collecting DNA samples and taking measurements have enabled them to form reports on these organisms. This research helps uncover worm or parasite characteristics, leading to potential solutions and deeper perceptions.
Anaya recently shared her insights on parasites at The Friends of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve's 2025 speaker series, presenting her findings in a talk titled "The Splendid and the Vile: Parasites and Their Impact on Their Host."
"The word 'mite' normally grabs my audience's attention," she said.
Since 2001, The Friends of the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve has facilitated discussions with ecological professionals to enhance environmental education for its volunteers and strengthen community connections. This has promoted a respected understanding of the Preserve's intricate wetland ecosystem.
Anaya's details about parasites sparked significant interest among the Friends members.
"Who would have thought a lecture on parasites would be so interesting?" said Friends member and Slough volunteer Kris Bauer. "The pictures and videos were beautifully creepy."
"I'm constantly amazed by the survival strategies of various organisms," said Rose Vitale, another Friends member and volunteer. "With parasites, once you get past the cringe factor, you realize that these are organisms with incredible adaptations and complex life cycles."
The Friends Gathering Series takes place from 5 to 6 p.m., starting with an introduction and refreshments at 4:30 p.m. These gatherings are hosted at the Slough's Interpretive Center, 7791 Penzance Boulevard, Fort Myers. Admission is free with paid parking, but registration is required, which can be completed on the Friends' website at www.sloughpreserve.org.
The upcoming Friends Gathering dates and speakers:
| March 26 - "State of the Slough" by Rick Bauer, Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve supervisor.
| April 17 - "Water Management in Southwest Florida and the Importance of the Slough" by Chauncey Goss, chairman of the South Florida Water Management Board.
Anaya announced her plans to host additional talks with interested locals and environmentalists, wiggling into the fascinating world of worms and parasites through their more-than-microscopic charms. She said her presentations crawl with engaging facts rather than just dry statistics. |