Untangling the phylogeny and evolution of Pentastomida, parasites of vertebrates

• hlavní řešitelka: Mgr. Marie Drábková, Ph.D. (Katedra biologie PřF UHK)
• období řešení: 01/2026-12/2028
• reg. číslo: 26-23386N
• typ projektu: Návratové granty GA ČR

Pentastomids are little studied parasites with crustacean origin and unique life style infecting vertebrates such as snakes, crocodiles, dogs, but also humans. This project offers new insights into their phylogeny and evolution. Main aims are the construction of pentastomid database, resolving of pentastomid phylogenetic relationships and improvement of pentastomid genomic resources. Pentastomid database will contain information about species distribution, host specificity and barcodes and can be used as a resource for further evolutionary studies, veterinary and medicine use. Phylogenetic study will serve as a basic framework for evolutionary explanation of pentastomid lineage adaptation to parasitism and evolution. Genomic resources will provide crucial information for understanding of genomic changes in parasites. Together, investigation of pentastomid parasites will significantly improve our understanding in parasities life strategies.