I graduated with a PhD in conservation ecology from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, in 2015, where I also obtained my MSc (2011) and BSc (2008) degrees. After obtaining my PhD, I completed several local and international postdoctoral fellowships during which I gained valuable research and teaching experience. I then spent more than 4 years working at a contract research organisation in the animal health industry in South Africa as a researcher where I developed new research models and conducted studies for large international pharmaceutical companies. I am currently a senior lecturer in the Department of Zoology and Entomology at the University of the Free State, South Africa.

My work here in South Africa, and internationally, has enabled me to gain proficient expertise in the cutting-edge fields of evolutionary ecology, community ecology, biogeography, veterinary parasitology and parasiticide resistance of ecto- and endoparasites. My scientific approach is flexible. Having a background in conservation ecology, I am able to contextualise my research and make it applicable to a broader biological setting.

Google Scholar Profile

ResearchGate Profile

ORCiD

Work experience

2024–present

Senior lecturer, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa

2023–2024

Research fellow, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, South Africa

2022–2024

Senior specialist: Study management, Clinvet International, Bloemfontein, South Africa

2021–2022

Investigator: Study management, Clinvet International, Bloemfontein, South Africa

2020–2021

Senior researcher, Clinvet International, Bloemfontein, South Africa

2019–2020

Postdoctoral research fellow, Department of Botany and Zoology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

2016–2018

Postdoctoral research fellow, Mitrani Department of Desert Ecology, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel

Education

2015

Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, PhD in Conservation Ecology

2011

Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, MSc (cum laude) in Conservation Ecology

2008

Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology, Stellenbosch University, South Africa, BSc in Conservation Ecology

Professional Memberships

Parasitological Society of Southern Africa (PARSA)

World Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP)

Peer-reviewed publications

54.) Charles, S., Deuster, K., Wang, X., Wiseman, S., Reinemeyer, C.R., van der Mescht, L., Mansour, A., Bouzaidi Cheikhi, I., Young, L. 2025. Efficacy of a novel chewable tablet (Credelio Quattro™) containing lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel for the treatment and control of hookworm infections in dogs. Parasites & Vectors 18, 1-9.

53.) Hadfield, K.A., Chaisi, M.E., Cook, C.A., Netherlands, E.C., Lawton, S.P., Luus-Powell, W.J., Matthee, C.A., Penzhorn, B.L., van der Mescht, L., van Zyl, R.L. and Smit, N.J. 2025. The 5th International Congress on Parasites of Wildlife: parasitology talks in the African bush. Trends in Parasitology 41, 1067-1079.

52.) Krasnov, B. R., Grabovsky, V. I., Khokhlova, I. S., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Lopez Berrizbeitia, M. F., Matthee, S., Sanchez, J., Stanko, M., van der Mescht, L., Vinarski, M. V. 2025. Structure of compound and component communities of fleas parasitic on small mammals in six different regions as revealed by environmental-based co-occurrence geometry analyses. Integrative Zoology 20, 274-288.

51.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Khokhlova, I. S., Lopez Berrizbeitia, M. F., Matthee, S., Sanchez, J. P., van der Mescht, L. 2024. Environment and traits affect parasite and host species positions but not roles in flea–mammal networks. Integrative Zoology 19, 1163-1180.

50.) Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Laudisoit, A., Lopez Berrizbeitia, M. F., Matthee, S., Sanchez, J. P., Stanko, M., van der Mescht, L., Vinarski, M. V. 2024. Congruence between co-occurrence and trait-based networks is scale-dependent: a case study with flea parasites of small mammalian hosts. Parasitology 151, 853-863.

49.) Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Lopez Berrizbeitia, M.F., Matthee, S., Sanchez, J.P., van der Mescht, L. 2024. Functional similarity affects similarity in partner composition in flea-mammal networks. Parasitology Research 123, 203.

48.) Krasnov, B.R., Khokhlova, I.S., Berrizbeitia, M.F.L., Matthee, S., Sanchez, J.P., Shenbrot, G.I., van der Mescht, L. 2024. Relationships between functional alpha and beta diversities of flea parasites and their small mammalian hosts. Parasitology 151, 449-460.

47.) Heylen, D.J., Labuschagne, M., Meiring, C., van der Mescht, L., Klafke, G., Junior, L.M.C., Strydom, T., Wentzel, J., Shacklock, C., Halos, L., Maree, F. 2024. Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus field isolates from South Africa and Brazil. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance 24, 100519.

46.) Krasnov, B. R., Grabovsky, V. I., Khokhlova, I. S., Lopez Berrizbeitia, M. F., Matthee, S., Roll, U., Sanchez, J. P., Shenbrot, G. I., van der Mescht, L. 2024. Latitudinal distributions of the species richness, phylogenetic diversity, and functional diversity of fleas and their small mammalian hosts in four geographic quadrants. Ecography 2024, e07129.

45.) Matthee, C. A., Matthee, S., Bierman, A., Krasnov, B., van der Mescht, L. 2023. Documenting the microbiome diversity and distribution in selected fleas from South Africa with an emphasis on the cat flea, Ctenocephalides f. felis. Parasitology 150, 449-460.

44.) Krasnov, B. R., Khokhlova, I. S., Kiefer, M. S., Kiefer, D., Lareschi, M., Matthee, S., Sanchez, J. P., Shenbrot, G. I., Stanko, M., van der Mescht, L. 2023. Multi-site interaction turnover in flea–mammal networks from four continents: Application of zeta diversity concept and multi-site generalised dissimilarity modelling. Ecological Entomology 48, 466-484.

43.) Khokhlova, I. S., van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Stavtseva, N. A., Krasnov, B. R. 2022. Adaptation to a novel host and performance trade-off in host-generalist and host-specific insect ectoparasites. Insect Science 29, 567-580.

42.) Krasnov, B. R., van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S., Khokhlova, I.S. 2022. Host phylogeny and ecology, but not host physiology, are the main drivers of (dis) similarity between the host spectra of fleas: application of a novel ordination approach to regional assemblages from four continents. Parasitology 149, 124-137.

41.) Krasnov, B. R., Spickett, A., Junker, K., van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S., 2021. Functional and phylogenetic uniqueness of helminth and flea assemblages of two South African rodents. International Journal for Parasitology 51, 865-876.

40.) Stavtseva, N. A., Fielden, L. J., Khokhlova, I. S., Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Krasnov, B. R. 2021. Colonization of a novel host by fleas: changes in egg production and egg size. Parasitology Research 120, 451-459.

39.) van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S., Matthee, C. A. 2021. New taxonomic and evolutionary insights relevant to the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis: a geographic perspective. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 155, 106990.

38.) Beugnet, F., Rautenbach, C., van der Mescht, L., Lebon, W., Aouiche, N., Liebenberg, J. 2021. Insecticidal efficacy of afoxolaner against bedbugs, Cimex lectularius, when administered orally to dogs. Parasite 28.

37.) Krasnov, B. R., Junker, K., Wood, S., Ueckermann, E. A., Venter, G. J., van der Mescht, L., Heyne, H., Jacobs, D. S. 2020. Compositional turnover in ecto-and endoparasite assemblages of an African bat, Miniopterus natalensis (Chiroptera, Miniopteridae): effects of hierarchical scale and host sex. Parasitology 147, 1728-1742.

36.) Matthee, S., Stekolnikov, A.A., van der Mescht, L., Froeschke, G., Morand, S. 2020. The diversity and distribution of chigger mites associated with rodents in the South African savanna. Parasitology 147, 1038-1047.

35.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I.S. 2020. Drivers of compositional turnover are related to species’ commonness in flea assemblages from four biogeographic realms: zeta diversity and multi-site generalised dissimilarity modelling. International Journal for Parasitology 50, 331-344.

34.) Khokhlova, I. S., Fielden, L. J., Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Krasnov, B. R. 2020. Feeding performance on a novel host: no adaptation over generations and differential patterns in two flea species. Parasitology 147, 721-728.

33.) Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S., Plame, R., Surkova, E. N., van der Mescht, L., Krasnov, B. R. 2020. Flea infestation, social contact, and stress in a gregarious rodent species: minimizing the potential parasitic costs of group-living. Parasitology 147, 78-86.

32.) Spickett, A., van der Mescht, L., Junker, K., Krasnov, B. R., Haukisalmi, V., Matthee, S. 2019. Beta diversity of gastrointestinal helminths in two closely related South African rodents: species and site contributions. Parasitology Research 118, 2863-2875.

31.) van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Surkova, E. N., Warburton, E. M., Krasnov, B. R. 2019. Reproductive performance in generalist haematophagous ectoparasites: maternal environment, rearing conditions or both? Parasitology Research 118: 2087-2096.

30.) Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S., van der Mescht, L., Downs, C. J., Dlugosz, E. M., Krasnov, B. R. 2019. Effects of maternal and grandmaternal flea infestation on offspring quality and quantity in a desert rodent: evidence for parasite-mediated transgenerational phenotypic plasticity. International Journal for Parasitology 49: 481-488.

29.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. S., van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S. 2019. Phylogenetic and compositional diversity are governed by different rules: a study of fleas parasitic on small mammals in four biogeographic realms. Ecography 42: 1000-1011.

28.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. S., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Vinarski, M. V., van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S. 2019. Do the pattern and strength of species associations in ectoparasite communities conform to biogeographic rules? Parasitology Research 118: 1113-1125.

27.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Surkova, E. N., Medvedev, S. G., Pechnikova, N., Ermolova, N., Kotti, B. K., Khokhlova, I. S. 2019. Species and site contributions to ß-diversity in fleas parasitic on the Palearctic small mammals: ecology, geography and host species composition matter the most. Parasitology 146: 653-661.

26.) Hatyoka, L., Froeschke, G., Kleynhans, D., van der Mescht, L., Heighton, S., Matthee, S., Bastos, A. Bartonellae of Synanthropic Four-Striped Mice (Rhabdomys pumilio) from the Western Cape Province, South Africa. Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases 19: 242-248.

25.) Surkova, E. N., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Vinarski, M. V., van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R. 2018. Body size distribution in flea communities harboured by Siberian small mammals as affected by host species, host sex and scale: scale matters the most. Evolutionary Ecology 32: 643-662.

24.) Terefe, Y. A., Gaff, H., Kamga, M., van der Mescht, L. 2018. Mathematics of a model for Zika transmission dynamics. Theory in Biosciences 137: 209-218.

23.) Surkova, E. N., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Vinarski, M. V., Stanko, M., Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R. 2018. Sexual size dimorphism and sex ratio in arthropod ectoparasites: contrasting patterns at different hierarchical scales. International Journal for Parasitology 48: 969-978.

22.) Surkova, E. N., Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R. 2018. Body size and ecological traits in fleas parasitic on small mammals in the Palearctic: larger species attain higher abundance. Oecologia 188: 559-569.

21.) van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S., Stanko, M., Vinarski, M. V., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Krasnov, B. R. 2018. Biogeography of parasite abundance: latitudinal gradient and distance decay of similarity in the abundance of fleas and mites parasitic on small mammals in the Palearctic at three spatial scales. International Journal for Parasitology 48: 857-866.

20.) van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Warburton, E. M., Dlugosz E. M., Kotler, B. P., Krasnov, B. R. 2018. Can we predict the success of a parasite to colonize an invasive host? Parasitology Research 117: 2305–2314.

19.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokholova, I. S. 2018. The latitudinal, but not the longitudinal, geographic range positions of haematophagous ectoparasites demonstrate historical signatures. International Journal for Parasitology 48: 743-749.

18.) Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R., Vonhof, M. J. 2018. Nestedness in assemblages of helminth parasites of bats: a function of geography, environment, or host nestedness? Parasitology Research 117: 1621–1630.

17.) Krasnov, B. R., Shenbrot, G. I., van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokholova, I. S. 2018. Phylogenetic heritability of geographic range size in haematophagous ectoparasites: time of divergence and variation among continents. Parasitology 145: 1623–1632.

16.) van der Mescht, L., Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S., Vinarski, M. V., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Krasnov, B. R. 2017. Relationships among different facets of host specificity in three taxa of haematophagous ectoparasites. International Journal for Parasitology 47: 961-969.

15.) van der Mescht, L. and Matthee, S. 2017. Host range and distribution of small mammal fleas in South Africa, with a focus on medically and veterinary important species. Medical and Veterinary Entomology 31: 402-413.

14.) van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Warburton, E. M., Krasnov, B. R. 2017. Revisiting the role of phylogenetic and compositional dissimilarity of host communities in driving dissimilarity in ectoparasite assemblages: Non-linear vs linear approach. Parasitology 144: 1365-1374.

13.) Nyangiwe, N., Horak, I. G., van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S. 2017. Range expansion of the economically important Asiatic blue tick, Rhipicephalus microplus in South Africa. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 88: a1482.

12.) Warburton, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Stanko, M., Vinarski, M. V., Korallo-Vinarskaya, N. P., Khokhlova, I. S., Krasnov, B. R. 2017. Beta-diversity of ectoparasites at two spatial scales: nested hierarchy, geography and habitat type. Oecologia 184: 507-520.

11.) van der Mescht, L., Khokhlova, I. S., Warburton, E. M., Krasnov, B. R. 2017. Parasite performance and host alternation: is there a negative effect in host-specific and host-opportunistic parasites? Parasitology 144: 1107-1116.

10.) Warburton, E. M., Khokhlova, I. S., Dlugosz, E. M., van der Mescht, L., Krasnov, B.R. 2016. Effects of parasitism on host reproductive investment in a rodent–flea system: host litter size matters. Parasitology Research 116: 703-710.

9.) van der Mescht, L., Krasnov, B. R., Matthee, C. A., Matthee, S. 2016. Community structure of fleas within and among populations of three closely related rodent hosts: nestedness and beta-diversity. Parasitology 143: 1268-1278.

8.) van der Mescht, L., le Roux, P. C., Matthee, C. A., Raath, M. J., Matthee, S. 2016. The influence of life history characteristics on flea (Siphonaptera) species distribution models. Parasites & Vectors 9: 1.

7.) van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S., Matthee, C. A. 2015. A genetic perspective on the taxonomy and evolution of the medically important flea, Dinopsyllus ellobius (Siphonaptera: Dinopsyllinae), and the resurrection of Dinopsyllus abaris. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 116: 541-557.

6.) van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S., Matthee, C. A. 2015. Comparative phylogeography between two generalist flea species reveal a complex interaction between parasite life history and host vicariance: Parasite-host intimacy matters. BMC Evolutionary Biology 15: 105.

5.) Froeschke, G., van der Mescht, L., McGeoch, M., Matthee, S. 2013. Life history strategy influences parasite responses to habitat fragmentation. International Journal for Parasitology 43: 1109-1118.

4.) van der Mescht, L., le Roux, P. C., Matthee, S. 2013. Remnant fragments within an agricultural matrix enhance conditions for a rodent host and its fleas. Parasitology 140: 368-377.

3.) Matthee, S., Swanepoel, M., van der Mescht, L., Leslie, A. J., Hoffman, L. C. 2013. Ectoparasites of a non-indigenous warthog population, Phacochoerus africanus, in the Free State Province, South Africa. African Zoology 48: 259-265.

2.) Matthee, S., van der Mescht, L., Wilson, B. 2011. Flea Diversity on Small Carnivores in the Northern Cape Province, South Africa. African Zoology 46: 27-31.

1.) Matthee, S., Horak, I. G., van der Mescht, L., Ueckermann, E. A. 2010. Ectoparasite Diversity on Rodents at De Hoop Nature Reserve, Western Cape Province. African Zoology 45: 213-224.

Popular articles

7.) van der Mescht, L. Ticks in South Africa are becoming resistant to pesticides – and may become uncontrollable. The Conversation: Africa, July 2024.

6.) van der Mescht, L. Cat fleas in Africa are a mystery we are trying to solve. The Conversation: Africa, March 2019.

5.) van der Mescht, L. Conservation Ecology PhD graduate visits highly acclaimed research laboratory in Israel. Agriscience Faculty Newsletter, Issue 77, April 2016.

4.) van der Mescht, L. Study is first to include molecular data for fleas of small mammals in SA. Agriscience Faculty Newsletter, Issue 74, October 2015.

3.) van der Mescht, L. Exploring mechanisms that shape Siphonaptera diversity on small mammals at various spatial scales across South Africa. PARSA Newsletter, Issue 14, April 2013.

2.) van der Mescht, L. Fit as a flea? PARSA Newsletter, Issue 10, April 2012.

1.) Matthee, S., van der Mescht, L. 689 fleas recorded to species level. Agriscience Faculty Newsletter, Issue 50, April 2011.

Weerstandigheid in bosluise, GROOTplaas

1.) van der Mescht, L., Matthee, S. and Matthee, C.A. (2021). New taxonomic and evolutionary insights relevant to the cat flea, Ctenocephalides felis: A geographic perspective. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 155: 106990.

2.) Matthee, C.A., Bierman, A., Krasnov, B.R., Matthee, S. and van der Mescht, L. (2023). Documenting the microbiome diversity and distribution in selected fleas from South Africa with an emphasis on the cat flea, Ctenocephalides f. felis. Parasitology, 150(11): 979-989.

3.) Charles, S., Deuster, K., Wang, X., Wiseman, S., Reinemeyer, C.R., van der Mescht, L., Mansour, A., Bouzaidi Cheikhi, I. and Young, L. (2025). Efficacy of a novel chewable tablet (Credelio Quattro™) containing lotilaner, moxidectin, praziquantel, and pyrantel for the treatment and control of hookworm infections in dogs. Parasites & Vectors, 18(1): 1-9.

4.) Heylen, D.J., Labuschagne, M., Meiring, C., van der Mescht, L., Klafke, G., Junior, L.M.C., Strydom, T., Wentzel, J., Shacklock, C., Halos, L. and Maree, F. (2024). Phenotypic and genotypic characterization of acaricide resistance in Rhipicephalus microplus field isolates from South Africa and Brazil. International Journal for Parasitology: Drugs and Drug Resistance, 24: 100519.

My research is grouped into three broad themes:

1. Veterinary parasitology
2. Parasite resistance
3. Functional and evolutionary ecology of parasites

BLGY1663 - Introduction to Biology

ZLGY6814 - Core research skills

ZLGY6854 - Veterinary ectoparasitology