The Helminth collection includes the two major phyla of parasitic worms:

• Nematodes (roundworms)
• Plathelminthes (flatworms), represented by their three major groups: Digenea (flukes), Cestoda (tapeworms) and Monogenea.

These parasites mainly infest vertebrates and, more occasionally, invertebrates. Several species are responsible for major parasitic diseases in humans and animals, such as filariasis and bilharzia.

• Over 40,000 lots, including over 1,000 type lots;
• Over 100,000 slides.

A lot may contain from one to several hundred individuals. Specimens are preserved in accordance with their morphology and size: in alcohol in glass vials for nematodes, in jars for large cestodes, and between a slide and cover slip for many parasites.

Started in the 19^th century, the Parasitic Worms collection underwent major expansion between 1950 and 1990, driven by the work of the former Worm Laboratory, headed by Professor Alain Chabaud, when the Chair of Zoology-Worms was created. This growth was based on the decisive scientific contributions of Odile Bain (filariae), Marie-Claude Durette-Desset (strongyles) and Jean-Pierre Hugot (pinworms). It is based both on an important historical collection and on numerous field missions conducted worldwide.

The collection of zooparasitic nematodes is now one of the three largest in the world. For vertebrates, it covers all the major groups of Secernentea (clades III to V: ascarids, oxyurids, spirurids, filariae, strongyles, trichostrongyles, metastrongyles, etc.), as well as Adenophorea (clade I), including common groups (Trichinelloidea) and rarer (Muspiceoidea).

Arthropod parasites (mainly pinworms and rhigonematids), as well as those of oligochaetes and molluscs, are also represented. The collection is particularly rich in nematodes from rodents, Australian and South American marsupials, and fish.

It has been enriched more recently by major donations, notably those of Yves-Jean Golvan (Acanthocephalans), Jean-Lou Justine (fish parasites from New Caledonia) and by the integration of Professor Louis Euzet's remarkable collection of Monogeneans and Cestodes.

The collections of specimens in tubes are partially computerised and integrated into the COLLVERS database, which records taxonomic, geographical and temporal information for each parasite and its host. Continuous efforts are being made to improve conservation conditions and develop methods compatible with modern analyses. The slides are currently being inventoried and digitised.

The helminth collections support active research in systematics, biology, phylogeny and human, veterinary and environmental parasitology. They are regularly consulted by international researchers who come to compare their specimens with type specimens and deposit material from new species.

They have contributed to more than 3,000 scientific publications and are an essential resource for medical, veterinary and ecological expertise. Some of the species preserved also serve as major experimental models for the study of nematodoses and other parasitic diseases.

Coralie Martin 
coralie.martin [at] mnhn.fr (coralie[dot]martin[at]mnhn[dot]fr) 
Tel. +33 (0)1 40 79 34 96

Fréderic Fercoq
frederic.fercoq [at] mnhn.fr (frederic[dot]fercoq[at]mnhn[dot]fr)

Linda Kohl
linda.kohl [at] mnhn.fr (linda[dot]kohl[at]mnhn[dot]fr)