R. Poulin - Böcker

The sea is host to most of the Earth's biodiversity. However, in the case of parasites and their hosts, little is known of the interactions among the organisms. This important volume covers many aspects of these interactions, including the co-evolution and biogeography of different marine systems, and their applied impact on commercially important host species. Topics discussed include species interactions in such well-studied systems as larval trematodes in gastropods and ectoparasites on fish. The effects of parasites in ecosystems extend to commercial, economic concerns, particularly in aquaculture. The volume presents an easy-to-read account of recent advances in this important topic.

Small mammals are among the most ubiquitous and important components of terrestrial ecosystems. They have coevolved, and now coexist, with a diverse array of parasites, such that not only are all aspects of their biology influenced by parasitism but they also play key roles in the transmission and maintenance of parasitic diseases. This book provides a comprehensive survey of the diversity and biology of metazoan parasites affecting small mammals, of their impact on host individuals and populations, and of the management implications of these parasites for conservation biology and human welfare. Designed for a broad, multidisciplinary audience, it will be an essential resource for researchers, students, and practitioners alike in the fields of parasitology, evolutionary ecology, wildlife management, and conservation biology.