Ecological And Evolutionary Aspects Of Complex Relations Between Micro And Macroparasites And Their Wild Animal Hosts

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, the book is an essential resource for researchers, students, and practitioners alike.

Veterinary sciences include but exceed the study of domestic and non-domestic non-human species. The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has renewed and expanded the need of “one health” approaches –that is, the study of any biological process that involves interactions within and across species (humans included). Unintentionally but directly, COVID-19 has changed or may change everything – including veterinary sciences. For example, a field poorly developed before 2019 (bat immunology) is now, potentially, at the crossroads that connect infectious diseases affecting all vertebrates. Research associated with COVID-19 has facilitated or may promote the development and convergence of numerous technologies, theories, and methods. They include, although are not limited to (i) geographical information systems (which allow the study of actual factors found in the environment), (ii) cost-benefit oriented techniques, and (iii) data-driven (“top-down”) research designs, which identify questions and discover potential problems.

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, the book is an essential resource for researchers, students, and practitioners alike.

This volume covers a wide range of systems, exemplified by a broad spectrum of micro- and macro-parasites, impacting humans, domestic and wild animals and plants. It illustrates the importance of evolutionary considerations and concepts, both as thinking tools for qualitative understanding or as guiding tools for decision making in major disease control programs. * Brings together a range of articles from scientists from different fields of research and/or disease control, but with a common interest in studying the biology of a variety of parasitic diseases * Evolutionary theory has an important role to play in both the interpretation of host and parasitic dynamics and the design and application of disease control programs

1 Introduction.- 1.1 The extent of parasitism.- 1.2 Definitions.- 1.3 The concept of harm.- 1.4 Some adaptations to parasitism.- 1.5 Life cycle and ecology.- >2 Population concepts.- 2.1 Background.- 2.2 General definitions.- 2.3 Factors affecting parasite populations.- 2.4 The dispersion concept.- 2.5 Dynamics of population growth.- 3 Factors influencing parasite populations.- 3.1 Density-independent factors: introduction.- 3.2 Density-independent factors: case histories.- 3.3 Density-dependent factors: introduction.- 3.4 Density-dependent factors: case histories.- 3.5 Suprapopulation dynamics: introduction.- 3.6 Suprapopulation dynamics: case histories.- 4 Influence of parasites on host populations.- 4.1 Introduction to the concept of regulation.- 4.2 Crofton's approach.- 4.3 Overdispersion and regulation: introduction.- 4.4 Overdispersion and regulation: case histories.- 4.5 Epidemiological implications.- 4.6 Models.- 5 Life history strategies.- 5.1 Introduction.- 5.2 Reproductive strategies.- 5.3 Colonization strategies.- 5.4 Host behaviour and transmission.- 5.5 Theoretical considerations.- 6 Infracommunity dynamics.- 6.1 Introduction.- 6.2 The evolution of parasite communities.- 6.3 Infracommunity structure.- 6.4 The screen/filter concept.- 7 Component and compound communities.- 7.1 Introduction.- 7.2 Core-satellite and generalist-specialist species concepts.- 7.3 Determinants of component communities.- 7.4 Habitat variability (succession) and parasitism.- 7.5 The biocoenosis and parasite flow.- 7.6 The allogenic-autogenic species concept.- 8 Biogeographical aspects.- 8.1 Introduction.- 8.2 Factors affecting the geographical distribution of parasites.- 8.3 Patterns of distribution.- 8.4 Ecological aspects.- 8.5 Applied aspects of biogeography.- 9 Evolutionary aspects.- 9.1 Introduction.- 9.2 Microevolution.- 9.3 Evolution of host-parasite interactions.- 9.4 Parasite influence in the evolutionary biology of the host.- 10 Summary.- 10.1 Introduction.- 10.2 Population concepts.- 10.3 Factors influencing parasite populations.- 10.4 Influence of parasites on host populations.- 10.5 Life-history strategies.- 10.6 Infracommunity dynamics.- 10.7 Component and compound communities.- 10.8 Biogeographical aspects.- 10.9 Evolutionary aspects.- 10.10 What next for the evolution and ecology of parasitism?.- References.- Taxonomic host index.- Taxonomic parasite index.

In Parasitism, Claude Combes explores the fascinating adaptations parasites have developed through their intimate interactions with their hosts. He begins with the biology of parasites—their life cycles, habitats, and different types of associations with their hosts. Next he discusses genetic interactions between hosts and parasites, and he ends with a section on the community ecology of parasites and their role in the evolution of their hosts. Throughout the book Combes enlivens his discussion with a wealth of concrete examples of host-parasite interactions.

Small mammals are among the most ubiquitous and important components of terrestrial ecosystems. This book provides a survey of the diversity and biology of metazoan parasites affecting small mammals, of their impact on host individuals and populations, and the management implications of these parasites for conservation biology and human welfare.