Comparing methods for mapping global parasite diversity

Aim Parasites are a major component of global ecosystems, yet spatial variation in parasite diversity is poorly known, largely because their occurrence data are limited and thus difficult to interpret. Using a recently compiled database of parasite occurrences, we compare different models which we use to infer parasite geographic ranges and parasite species richness across the globe.
Innovation To date, most studies exploring spatial patterns of parasite diversity assumed, with little validation, that the geographic range of a parasite species can be represented by the collective geographic range of its host species. Our study compares this assumption with a suite of other methods to infer parasite distribution from parasite occurrence data (e.g. based on data density, ecoregions and climatic conditions). We highlight diversity hotspots identified by the various methods and compare the effects of sampling intensities in different regions, a crucial factor of observed parasite diversity...