Parasitoids

Parasitoids
Author: H. Charles J. Godfray
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 484
Release: 2019-12-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 069120702X

Parasitoids lay their eggs on or in the bodies of other species of insect, and the parasitoid larvae develop by feeding on the host, causing its eventual death. Known for a long time to applied biologists for their importance in regulating the population densities of economic pests, parasitoids have recently proven to be valuable tools in testing many aspects of evolutionary theory. This book synthesizes the work of both schools of parasitoid biology and asks how a consideration of evolutionary biology can help us understand the behavior, ecology, and diversity of the approximately one to two million species of parasitoid found on earth. After a general introduction to parasitoid natural history and taxonomy, the first part of the book treats the different components of the reproductive strategy of parasitoids: searching for a host, host selection, clutch size, and the sex ratio. Subsequent chapters discuss pathogens and non-Mendelian genetic elements that affect sexual reproduction; evolutionary aspects of the physiological interactions between parasitoid and host; mating strategies; life history theory and community ecology. A special effort is made to discuss the theoretical background to the subject, but without the use of mathematics.

Parasitism

Parasitism
Author: Claude Combes
Publisher: University of Chicago Press
Total Pages: 743
Release: 2001
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0226114465

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.

Evolutionary Parasitology

Evolutionary Parasitology
Author: Paul Schmid-Hempel
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Total Pages: 572
Release: 2021-07-15
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0192568159

Parasites and infectious diseases are everywhere and represent some of the most potent forces shaping the natural world. They affect almost every aspect imaginable in the life of their hosts, even as far as the structure of entire ecosystems. Hosts, in turn, have evolved complex defences, with immune systems being among the most sophisticated processes known in nature. In response, parasites have again found ways to manipulate and exploit their hosts. Ever since life began, hosts and parasites have taken part in this relentless co-evolutionary struggle with far-reaching consequences for us all. Today, concepts borrowed from evolution, ecology, parasitology, and immunology have formed a new synthesis for the study of host-parasite interactions. Evolutionary parasitology builds on these established fields of scientific enquiry but also includes some of the most successful inter-disciplinary areas of modern biology such as evolutionary epidemiology and ecological immunology. The first edition of this innovative text quickly became the standard reference text for this new discipline. Since then, the field has progressed rapidly and an update is now required. This new edition has been thoroughly revised to provide a state-of-the-art overview, from the molecular bases to adaptive strategies and their ecological and evolutionary consequences. It includes completely new material on topics such as microbiota, evolutionary genomics, phylodynamics, within-host evolution, epidemiology, disease spaces, and emergent diseases. Evolutionary Parasitology is suitable for advanced undergraduates, graduate level students, and interdisciplinary researchers from a variety of fields including immunology, genetics, sexual selection, population ecology, behavioural ecology, epidemiology, and evolutionary biology. Those studying and working in adjacent fields such as conservation biology, virology, medicine, and public health will also find it an invaluable resource for connecting to the bases of their science.

Evolutionary Biology of Parasites. (MPB-15), Volume 15

Evolutionary Biology of Parasites. (MPB-15), Volume 15
Author: Peter W. Price
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 254
Release: 2020-03-31
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0691209421

In spite of the fact that parasites represent more than half of all living species of plants and animals, their role in the evolution of life on earth has been substantially underestimated. Here, for the first time within an evolutionary and ecological framework, Peter Price integrates the biological attributes that characterize parasites ranging from such diverse groups as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and fungi, to helminths, mites, insects, and parasitic flowering plants. Synthesizing systematics, ecology, behavioral biology, genetics, and biogeography, the author outlines the success of parasitism as a mode of life, the common features of the wide range of organisms that adopt such a way of life, the reasons for parasites' extraordinary potential for continued adaptive radiation, and their role in molding community structure by means of their impact on the evolution of host species. In demonstrating the importance of parasitic interactions for determining population patterns and geographical distributions, Dr. Price generates further discussion and suggests new areas for research.

The Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Host-Parasitoid Interactions

The Spatial and Temporal Dynamics of Host-Parasitoid Interactions
Author: Michael Hassell
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 214
Release: 2000-06-08
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0191588407

This book examines our current understanding of the population dynamics of one kind of interaction - that between insect parasitoids and their hosts. Parasitoids are amongst the most abundant of all animals, and make up about 10% or more of metazoan species. Almost no insect species escape their attack. Host-parasitoid interactions were first modelled over fifty years ago, but for many years there was little good empirical information on the important factors that affect host and parasitoid populations. The models were very simple, and their predictions rather divorced from the complexity of what was visible in the field. Now, better data is available on many components of host-parasitoid systems, from field observations and laboratory and field experiments, and this allows a much closer correspondence between models and data. In particular, the past twenty years have seen major advances in our understanding of how host-parasitoid interactions are influenced by spatial processes, by age-structure effects, and by competition from additional host and parasitoid species. The result is a body of theory that makes direct contact with real systems in the field, and provides us with a detailed understanding of what underpins a whole area of population dynamics. In this book, Michael P Hassell pulls the theory and field data together to present an elegant illustration of the way in which ecological studies advance.

Behavioural Ecology of Insect Parasitoids

Behavioural Ecology of Insect Parasitoids
Author: Eric Wajnberg
Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell
Total Pages: 445
Release: 2008
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9781405163477

Written by a team of leading international specialists, Behavioral Ecology of Insect Parasitoids examines the optimal behaviors that parasitoids exhibit in order to maximize long term offspring production. It is an essential reference for research scientists and students studying these fascinating insects or for anyone involved in using parasitoids in biological control programs. Reviews topical issues, including cutting edge research on parasitoid decision making and the implications for biological control Explores applications in other fields, provides information on the latest research methods, and includes helpful case studies and statistical tools Creates a deeper understanding of the link between behavioural strategies and host mortality, resulting in more efficient selective pest management programs “Overall, this is a fascinating volume that provides a significant contribution to the literature on parasitoid insects. It goes a long way toward providing insights into numerous aspects of parasitoid behavior and will stimulate a diversity of future projects, something that should be the goal of any such text. I highly recommend Wajnberg et al. for all of those working on the biology or evolution of parasitoids.” Palaios 2009

Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism

Ecology and Evolution of Parasitism
Author: Frédéric Thomas
Publisher: OUP Oxford
Total Pages: 238
Release: 2008-12-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0199535329

Biologists are increasingly aware of the universal significance of parasites to the study of ecology and evolution where they have become a powerful model system. This book provides a summary of the issues involved as well as an overview of the possibilities offered by this research topic including the practical applications in disease prevention.

Parasitoid Population Biology

Parasitoid Population Biology
Author: Michael E. Hochberg
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Total Pages: 381
Release: 2021-05-11
Genre: Science
ISBN: 0691230897

Extraordinary in the diversity of their lifestyles, insect parasitoids have become extremely important study organisms in the field of population biology, and they are the most frequently used agents in the biological control of insect pests. This book presents the ideas of seventeen international specialists, providing the reader not only with an overview but also with lively discussions of the most salient questions pertaining to the field today and prescriptions for avenues of future research. After a general introduction, the book divides into three main sections: population dynamics, population diversity, and population applications. The first section covers gaps in our knowledge in parasitoid behavior, parasitoid persistence, and how space and landscape affect dynamics. The contributions on population diversity consider how evolution has molded parasitoid populations and communities. The final section calls for novel approaches toward resolving the enigma of success in biological control and questions why parasitoids have been largely neglected in conservation biology. Parasitoid Population Biology will likely be an important influence on research well into the twenty-first century and will provoke discussion amongst parasitoid biologists and population biologists. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Carlos Bernstein, Jacques Brodeur, Jerome Casas, H.C.J. Godfray, Susan Harrison, Alan Hastings, Bradford A. Hawkins, George E. Heimpel, Marcel Holyoak, Nick Mills, Bernard D. Roitberg, Jens Roland, Michael R. Strand, Teja Tscharntke, and Minus van Baalen.

The Behavioural Ecology of Parasites

The Behavioural Ecology of Parasites
Author: E. E. Lewis
Publisher: CABI
Total Pages: 372
Release: 2002-07-17
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 9780851997544

Parasites have evolved numerous complex and fascinating ways of interacting with their hosts. The subject attracts the interest of numerous biologists from the perspective of ecology and behavioural biology, as well as from those concerned with more applied aspects of parasitology. However, until now there has been no recent book to synthesize this field.This book, written by leading authorities from the USA, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, provides the most comprehensive coverage of this important topic on the market.