Parasitism: The Diversity and Ecology of Animal Parasites
Cambridge University Press
Edition: 2, 12/16/2013
EAN 9780521122054, ISBN10: 0521122058
Paperback, 510 pages, 24.6 x 18.9 x 2.2 cm
Language: English
Reflecting the enormous advances made in the field over the past ten years, this text synthesizes the latest developments in the ecology and evolution of animal parasites against a backdrop of parallel advances in parasite systematics, biodiversity and life cycles. This second edition has been thoroughly revised to meet the needs of a new generation of parasitology students. Balancing traditional approaches in parasitology with modern studies in parasite ecology and evolution, the authors present basic ecological principles as a unifying framework to help students understand the complex phenomenon of parasitism. Richly illustrated with over 250 figures, the text is accompanied by case study boxes designed to help students appreciate the complexity and diversity of parasites and the scientists who study them. This unique approach, presented clearly and with a minimum of jargon and mathematical detail, encourages students from diverse backgrounds to think generally and conceptually about parasites and parasitism.
List of boxes
Foreword John C. Holmes
Preface and acknowledgements
1. Introduction
2. Immunological aspects of parasitism
3. Protista
the unicellular eukaryotes
4. Microsporida
the intracellular fungi
5. Myxozoa
the spore-forming cnidarians
6. Platyhelminthes
the flatworms
7. Acanthocephala
the thorny-headed worms
8. Nematoda
the roundworms
9. Nematomorpha
the horsehair worms
10. Pentastomida
the tongue worms
11. Arthropoda
the joint-legged animals
12. Parasite population ecology
13. Parasite community ecology
14. Parasite biogeography and phylogeography
15. Effects of parasites on their hosts
from individuals to ecosystems
16. Evolution of host-parasite interactions
17. Environmental parasitology
parasites as bioindicators of ecosystem health
Glossary
Index.
'Combining the classical approach of presenting a summary of the biology of the major groups of parasites, with a broad overview of parasite ecology and evolution, this new edition will be a wonderful resource for teachers of undergraduate parasitology courses. The well-illustrated and easy-to-read text is unrivalled at the moment and will be a great tool to turn on a new generation of young minds to the wonders of parasitic organisms. A true parasitological tour de force!' Robert Poulin, University of Otago
'This is an extremely well written book that does an excellent job of integrating conceptual and organismal aspects of parasitology, which is not easy. The chapter on the evolution of host-parasite interactions does a very nice job of integrating micro- and macro-evolutionary approaches to this topic. The use of boxes to contain historical information and case studies is very effective. Personal accounts of the authors' own experiences studying and teaching parasitology are interesting and effective.' Dale H. Clayton, University of Utah
'The authors have done a terrific job of implementing the dual approach stated in the title. The book combines a comprehensive and balanced presentation of parasite biodiversity with an insightful treatment of the various aspects of the ecology of host/parasite interactions. Their approach is synthetic, refreshingly original and effectively blends coverage of long-standing fundamentals of parasitology with modern advances in the field. Their clever use of text boxes highlighting intriguing parasitological examples is sure to capture the imagination of students of parasitology and other fields of biology alike, serving to illustrate the relevance and importance of the discipline overall.' Janine N. Caira, University of Connecticut
'Interest in the ecology of infectious disease is exploding, often drawing in researchers with little background in the zoology of parasites. Parasitism gives the student both the systematic and zoological background to understand parasitology and the ecological and evolutionary context to understand why it is important to understand parasites. The authors, all extreme parasitophiles, have unmatched histories of teaching parasites to past and current generations of students. It is safe to say that Jerry Esch has read more papers about parasites than any living human. As a team, their approach is clear and scholarly, with many important updates since the first edition.' Kevin D. Lafferty, US Geological Survey, University of California, Santa Barbara
'This is a wonderful and tractable text well suited for the undergraduate taking survey-type parasitology courses and those senior undergraduates enrolled in specialized courses on the ecology and evolution of parasites. It is a ready reference for researchers interested in the current state of knowledge of similar study problems as their own. There is a wealth of detail for well-selected examples, building on the rich experience of the authors as top-notch researchers and educators. Many examples are of medical or veterinarian or wildlife and conservation importance, meaning that they are particularly well suited to help deliver key problems and conceptual and empirical advances. This text is undoubtedly one that will come off the shelf again and again as students delve into the complex interactions between species of parasites and hosts and their current and past environments.' Mark R. Forbes, Carleton University
'This is a well-organized integration of the diversity of ideas and methods that characterize this new field of parasite ecology. The style is easily readable, the details extraordinary, the story told from an evolutionary perspective. The first chapters lay the foundations for understanding parasite life cycles, describing the full diversity of weird and wonderful adaptations of these organisms. The focus on the organismal view is exciting, and written in the context of ideas from classic ecology. The short stories in the boxes add interesting talking points. This is a well-researched document, and even the pros will learn from this book; the literature cited sections at the chapter ends are thorough and up-to-date. The final chapters on ecology and evolution are very synthetic, and the use of examples of diverse parasite strategies to illustrate the history and current status of the field's major ideas works well. I highly recommend this book.' Michael V. K. Sukhdeo, Rutgers University
'This is the book I would have loved to have available when I was teaching.' John C. Holmes, from the Foreword