My PhD explores the transmission of blood parasites in bats, with particular attention to the role of ectoparasites and the ecological factors that shape infection patterns in Cusuco National Park, Honduras. Bats are ecologically valuable mammals, yet they may also harbour a diverse range of parasites and pathogens that can affect their health, survival, and conservation. My research seeks to deepen understanding of how these infections circulate within bat communities and what drives their spread.
A central aim of the study is to assess whether ectoparasites, such as bat flies, contribute to blood parasite transmission, and whether hyperparasitic fungi of the order Laboulbinales may influence this process. In addition, I am investigating the possible presence of white-nose syndrome in the park, as this disease represents a major emerging threat to bat populations worldwide.
This work also has an important health and conservation dimension. By generating baseline data on parasite diversity and disease risk, the project can inform future monitoring and conservation efforts in a park facing deforestation and increasing environmental pressure. This is especially important because healthy bat populations support ecosystem function and provide benefits to the local communities that depend on intact forests and the services they sustain.
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