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Parasites are extremely abundant and diverse in nature, representing a substantial portion of global biodiversity. At least 50% of the species living on earth are parasites of some form, considering all viruses and some bacteria, and the eukaryotic species most commonly associated with parasitology, including agents of diseases affecting not only humans, but also livestock, crops, and wildlife (Brooks & Hoberg, 2006). Interestingly, only a small fraction of the existing species are of medical or veterinary importance (Price, 1980; Poulin & Morand, 2004). There are many reasons to include parasites in any biodiversity survey, and indeed to study parasite diversity on its own. For example, parasites have been mentioned several times as elegant and sophisticated biological markers and as contemporary probes of biodiversity (Gardner & Campbell, 1992). Additionally, parasite diversity provides insights into the history and biogeography of other organisms, into the structure of ecosystems, and into the processes behind the diversification of life (Brooks & Hoberg, 2000; Poulin & Morand, 2000, 2004). In this context, parasites have, according to Brooks & Hoberg (2006), a dual and conflicting significance because they may regulate host populations, playing a central role in maintenance of genetic diversity and structuring host communities and, at the same time, they represent treats to human health, agriculture, natural systems, conservation practices, and the global economy (see Horwitz & Wilcox, 2005). For a comprehensive overview of the role that parasites play in research programs on biodiversity, the reader should refer to Brooks and Hoberg (2000) and to Poulin and Morand (2000, 2004). On the other hand, even though parasites have been proposed as indicators of ecosystem stress (e.g., Marcogliese & Cone, 1997), more recently, based on new methodological approaches, some authors have emphasized the role of parasites as indicators of environmental changes, probably as a result of a renewed interest in the impacts of climate change on earth. For instance, Vidal-Martinez et al., (2010) reviewed the usefulness of parasites as bioindicators of environmental impact, and their meta-analysis showed significant effects and interactions between parasite levels and the presence and concentration of various pollulants and/or environmental stressors. Meanwhile, Palm et al. (2011) demonstrated that fish parasites are

Describing Parasite Biodiversity: The Case of the Helminth Fauna of Wildlife Vertebrates in Mexico