Funders
National Research Foundation (NRF) South African & National Science Foundation (NSF) United States
The Water Research Group (WRG) within the Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management (UESM) at the North-West University (NWU) hosts a specialised laboratory dedicated to the study, description, and redescription of aquatic parasite diversity in South Africa and beyond.
Fondly known as “The Parasite”, the laboratory is equipped with specialised infrastructure designed to support efficient workflows and integrated sample preparation. A dedicated flow cabinet workspace provides a clean environment for specimen processing for both taxonomic and molecular applications. Additional workspaces are available for specimen preparation, staining, mounting, and preservation using standardised protocols. These procedures produce high-quality permanent slides that serve as valuable scientific records and reference material for comparative taxonomic research.
The laboratory also houses a specialised microscopy facility equipped with advanced compound and stereomicroscopes fitted with high-resolution imaging systems. These instruments enable researchers to capture detailed photographs, perform accurate measurements, and produce scientific illustrations using microscope drawing attachments (camera lucida). Such capabilities are essential for examining diagnostic morphological features used in species identification and description. The resulting images and observations contribute to a growing digital reference library, support scientific publications, facilitate student training, and strengthen international collaboration.
In addition to microscopy resources, the laboratory provides access to specialised software and computing infrastructure for the preparation of digital illustrations, image analyses, and publication-quality outputs for internationally accredited journals and scientific platforms.
Fully operational since 2012, The Parasite has supported the training of numerous postgraduate students and plays an important role in developing scarce skills in aquatic parasitology. It serves as the home of the African Fish Parasitology Honours Course and supports national and international research collaborations through student exchanges, research visits, and specialised training. Its unique combination of facilities and expertise continues to attract researchers and students from across South Africa and countries including Australia, Brazil, the Czech Republic, Germany, Kenya, Nigeria, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
Last updated: June 2026
Comments on the content and accessibility, please contact: Adri Joubert