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In 2016, researchers investigated an intertidal species of fish called a mummichog. The researchers discovered how mummichogs use a tail-flip jump to cross land into new tidepools, and how they prop themselves into an upright position before leaping to receive extra visual cues. It was suggested that this behavior provides insight into how fish made the transition on to land.

For example, a study in York River, Virginia, found that 22 different species of parasites can infect the mummichog, Fundulus heteroclitus.

In addition, parasites can play a role in the proliferation of non-native species. For example, a study at the Shoals Marine Lab found that green crabs are minimally affected by native trematodes on the Eastern Atlantic coast. This helps them outcompete native crabs such as the rock and Jonah crabs.

An example of the importance of ecological parasitology is during the campaign for eradicating the Guinea worm. Even though the parasite was eradicated in all but four countries, the worm began using frogs as an intermediary host before infecting dogs. If the ecology of the area had been better understood in the context of the parasite, this may have been prevented.