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Parasitism
The Diversity and Ecology of Animal Parasites
S E C O N D E D I T IO N
Reflecting the enormous advances made in the field over the past 10 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. It has been thoroughly
revised to meet the needs of a new generation of parasitology students, whether their interest
is in ecology, conservation biology, evolution, immunology, or health sciences.
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, which is presented clearly and with a minimum of jargon and mathematical detail,
encourages students to think generally and conceptually about parasites and parasitism.
Timothy M. Goater is Professor and former Chair in the Biology Department at Vancouver Island
University, British Columbia, Canada. During the past 20 years he has taught courses in
introductory biology, parasitology, ecological parasitology, invertebrate zoology, and ento-
mology. His research interests focus on the population and community ecology of parasites.
Cameron P. Goater is Associate Professor and former Chair in the Department of Biological
Sciences at the University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada. His parasitological research roots are
in the community ecology of helminths of waterfowl on the Canadian prairies, and over the
past 15 years he has taught courses in introductory biology, invertebrate biology, field biology,
and symbiotic interactions. His current research interests are in the experimental ecology of
helminth-host interactions.
Gerald W. Esch is Charles M. Allen Professor of Biology at Wake Forest University, North
Carolina, USA, where he has taught for 47 years. He is widely regarded to be one of the
world’s leading ecological parasitologists, and served as Editor of the Journal of Parasitology for
19 years.
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Parasitism
The Diversity and Ecology
of Animal Parasites
SECOND EDITION
TIMOTHY M. GOATER
Vancouver Island University, British Columbia, Canada
C A M E R O N P. G O A T E R
University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
GERALD W. ESCH
Wake Forest University, North Carolina, USA
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Published in the United States of America by Cambridge University Press, New York
www.cambridge.org
Information on this title: http://www.cambridge.org/9780521190282
© Cambridge University Press 2001, 2014
This publication is in copyright. Subject to statutory exception
and to the provisions of relevant collective licensing agreements,
no reproduction of any part may take place without the written
permission of Cambridge University Press.
First published 2001
Second edition 2014
Printed and bound in the United Kingdom by the MPG Books Group
A catalog record for this publication is available from the British Library
Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication data
Goater, Timothy M., 1959–
Parasitism : the diversity and ecology of animal parasites / Timothy M. Goater, Cameron
P. Goater, Gerald W. Esch. – Second edition.
pages cm.
First published as: Parasitism / Albert O. Bush . . . [and others], 2001.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-0-521-19028-2 (hardback) – ISBN 978-0-521-12205-4 (paperback)
1. Parasites – Textbooks. 2. Parasitism – Textbooks. 3. Parasites – Ecology – Textbooks.
4. Biodiversity – Textbooks. 5. Parasitology – Textbooks. I. Goater, Cameron P.
II. Esch, Gerald W. III. Parasitism. IV. Title.
QL757.P287 2013
578.6′5–dc23
2013016194
ISBN 978-0-521-19028-2 Hardback
ISBN 978-0-521-12205-4 Paperback
Additional resources for this publication at http://www.cambridge.org/parasitism
Cambridge University Press has no responsibility for the persistence or accuracy of
URLs for external or third-party internet websites referred to in this publication,
and does not guarantee that any content on such websites is, or will remain,
accurate or appropriate.
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CONTENTS
viii Contents
9.3 Development and general life cycle 246 14 Parasite biogeography and
9.4 Biodiversity and ecology 247 phylogeography 379
9.5 Phylogenetic relationships and 14.1 General considerations 379
classification 249 14.2 Historical biogeography 380
14.3 Ecological biogeography 386
10 Pentastomida: the tongue worms 252 14.4 Applied aspects of parasite biogeography
10.1 General considerations 252 and phylogeography 389
10.2 Form and function 252
10.3 Nutrient uptake and metabolism 256 15 Effects of parasites on their hosts: from
10.4 Development and general life cycle 256 individuals to ecosystems 396
10.5 Biodiversity and life-cycle variation 258 15.1 General considerations 396
10.6 Phylogenetic relationships and 15.2 Effects of parasites on host individuals 396
classification 261 15.3 Effects of parasites on host
populations 411
11 Arthropoda: the joint-legged animals 263 15.4 Effects of parasites on host communities
11.1 General considerations 263 and ecosystems 422
11.2 Crustacea 264
11.3 Chelicerata 289 16 Evolution of host–parasite interactions 432
11.4 Hexapoda 308 16.1 General considerations 432
11.5 Phylogenetic relationships and 16.2 Parasite-mediated natural selection and
classification 328 evolution 432
16.3 Genetic structure of parasite
12 Parasite population ecology 335 populations 441
12.1 General considerations 335 16.4 Introduction to host–parasite
12.2 Terminology and general approaches 336 coevolution 446
12.3 Introduction to parasite population
ecology 337 17 Environmental parasitology: parasites
as bioindicators of ecosystem health 459
13 Parasite community ecology 356 17.1 General considerations 459
13.1 General considerations 356 17.2 Parasites as effect indicators of pollutant
13.2 Introduction to parasite community stress 460
ecology 357 17.3 Parasites as environmental sentinels 470
13.3 The structure of parasite infracommun-
ities: restricted niches 361
Glossary 477
13.4 The structure of parasite communities:
species richness 368 Index 489
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LIST OF BOXES
1.1 A brief historical perspective of para- 7.4 Phylogeny of the Acanthocephala and
sitology: pioneering scientists and their the evolution of parasitism 195
ground-breaking parasitological 8.1 Evolution of nematode life-cycle plas-
discoveries page 4 ticity: developmental switching in
1.2 Parasite systematics: a phylogenetics Strongyloides spp. 213
primer 11 8.2 Entomopathogenic nematodes and their
2.1 Immunology: a terminology primer 18 microbial symbionts: tapping their
3.1 A plastid in apicomplexans: a promise chemotherapeutic potential 216
for new drug therapies? 43 8.3 Transmammary transmission in
3.2 Protists as hosts for microbial hookworms 225
symbionts 44 8.4 Wolbachia spp.: endosymbiotic bacteria
3.3 Giardiasis: epidemiology and patho- in filarid nematodes 234
genesis of beaver fever 48 8.5 Classification of the Nematoda 239
3.4 Pathogenesis, epidemiology, and diag- 10.1 Pentastomids: masters of
nosis of Chagas’ disease 53 immunoevasion 254
3.5 Relapse and recrudescence in malaria 68 10.2 Classification of the Pentastomida 258
3.6 Diagnosis of human malaria 74 10.3 Fossil pentastomes from the Cambrian
3.7 Classification of the Protista 79 era suggest an alternate phylogenetic
4.1 Nosema ceranae: an emerging pathogen hypothesis 259
of European honey bees 89 11.1 Astonishing metamorphosis in pen-
4.2 Classification of the Microsporida 94 nellid copepods and rhizocephalan
5.1 Pathogenesis and epizootiology of barnacles 280
whirling disease caused by Myxobolus 11.2 On acorns, ticks, and mice: the epi-
cerebralis 101 demiology of Lyme disease 297
5.2 Proliferative kidney disease and solving 11.3 A mite-y ecological and economic
the PKX organism mystery: an orphan problem: Varroa destructor of
parasite of bryozoans finds a taxonomic honey bees 303
home in the Myxozoa 106 11.4 Fly maggots as agents of lethal
5.3 Classification of the Myxozoa 108 parasitism 322
6.1 ‘Getting in’: host location, 11.5 Parasite’s web of death! Manipulation
recognition, and penetration by of spider web-building behavior by an
trematode miracidia 123 insect parasitoid 326
6.2 ‘Getting out’: the enigma of egg release 11.6 Classification of the Arthropoda 329
in the human schistosomes 139 13.1 Host immunity and parasite infracom-
6.3 Classification of the Platyhelminthes 162 munity structure: new evidence for an
7.1 Acanthocephalans: masters of pheno- old hypothesis nts’: parasite-induced
typic manipulation 180 fruit mimicry in Neotropical rainforests 366
7.2 Sexual selection in the Acanthocephala 188 15.1 ‘Berry ants’: Parasite-induced fruit
7.3 Classification of the Acanthocephala 194 mimicry in neotropical rainforests 407
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x List of Boxes
15.2 The politics of parasitism: sea lice, 16.2 Parasites, sex, and the Red Queen:
aquaculture, and the decline of salmon castrating trematodes maintain
populations in coastal British Columbia 412 sexual reproduction in New Zealand
15.3 Avian malaria determines the distribu- snails 449
tions, biodiversity, and community 17.1 Ribeiroia and the complexity of
structure of Hawaii’s native birds 423 amphibian deformities: a multidiscipli-
16.1 Parasite-mediated natural selection on nary approach to understanding the
the human HbS gene 433 possible link to eutrophication 466
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FOREWORD
The ability of parasites to cause disease has always further study in other biological specialties. Our
been an important reason to study them, and the courses, books, readings, and other materials used in
teaching of parasitology has almost always been our classes should be chosen to expose those students
stimulated by conditions conducive to disease, such as to the usefulness of parasites in investigations in their
war or climate change. Currently, zoonotic diseases chosen fields.
emerging from altered ecosystems, or carried by This book is the best I have seen for that purpose.
arthropod vectors spreading their ranges due to cli- The authors have provided a wide-ranging review of
mate changes, supply that stimulation. However, most the diversity of parasites, emphasizing those which
of us who teach, or have taught, parasitology have provide examples of the insights provided by the use of
chosen that topic because of the fascinating life cycles the new techniques or examples of how parasites can
of many parasites and their complex interactions with provide new and exciting insights into other aspects of
their hosts. Much of that fascination stemmed from biology. One of the best features of this book is that it
learning how parasites can affect the population emphasizes the complexity of host–parasite systems,
dynamics of their hosts, or the behavior of the hosts, or with full recognition that most of the outcomes are
even the evolution of their hosts. In addition, that markedly dependent on the conditions in which that
fascination was based on how much parasites could system is embedded. This emphasis on complexity
tell us about the life of their hosts, such as their diet, starts with a chapter on immunity, which is the best
travels, or evolution. Or even of the earth itself – some and most succinct coverage I have ever seen of those
of the earliest evidence for continental drift was the aspects of immunity that are important in host–
similarity in parasites of amphibians in Africa and parasite interactions. This emphasis is most apparent
South America. Examples of all of these influences are in the most integrative chapters – those on the influ-
provided in this book. ence of parasites on their hosts, and parasite evolu-
Many of the systems that parasitologists have used tionary ecology.
to show these fascinating features have become rela- This is the book I would have loved to have
tively easy to study due to new techniques, such as been available when I was teaching. But, of course, it
those in genomics and proteomics, which have pro- could not have been written then. Most of the more
vided new and more powerful ways to study system- provocative insights, and especially the evidence for
atics, evolution, and host–parasite relationships. This complexity and conditional outcomes of host–parasite
has attracted the attention of biologists with a wide encounters have come in the past two decades since
variety of backgrounds, so that much of the very I retired. The field of parasitology has become
interesting work done on host–parasite systems increasingly fascinating, and its implications for
recently has been done by those trained in other spe- other fields of biology more significant, in those two
cialties, such as ecology, behavior, neurophysiology, decades. Enjoy this book, as I have, and see where it
and evolutionary biology. Very few of the students in leads you.
senior-level parasitology courses will go on for further
study in parasitology, but many more will go on for John C. Holmes
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In this second edition, we stay true to the philosophical reflecting developments in their systematics, and their
approach that was adopted in the first. Thus, we con- value as models in parasite ecology and evolution. By
tinue to see a need for a single text with dual focus on necessity, the ‘phylogenetic relationships and classifi-
the diversity and ecology/evolution of parasites. At the cation’ sections for all of the diversity chapters have
core, we feel that an ideal strategy for senior under- been updated, adopting the most current molecular-
graduate and beginning graduate students to under- based taxonomic schemes. The protist chapter in
stand and appreciate breakthroughs in parasite particular has been completely revised from the first
ecology is through a solid understanding of parallel edition, reflecting the monumental changes in protist
advances in parasite diversity, life-cycle variation, systematics. New text boxes that highlight key areas of
systematics, and functional morphology. By way of development, and the scientists behind them, are
example, we suggest that an understanding of the role integrated into each of these chapters. New life cycle
of falciparum malaria in determining the worldwide diagrams and dozens of new photographs and micro-
distribution of the human sickle-cell gene, and thus graphs have also been incorporated. A color plate
the role of parasites in mediating natural selection section has been added, showcasing dramatic photo-
(Chapter 16), comes from an understanding of life- graphs of parasites in or on their hosts.
cycle variation, functional morphology, and biodi- Armed with a solid background in parasite biodi-
versity of the apicomplexans (Chapter 3). Likewise, real versity, systematics, and functional biology,
understanding of the evidence in support of the para- Chapters 12–17 cover advances in the ecology and
site hypothesis for the evolution and maintenance of evolution of parasites. The titles and content of these
sexual reproduction in molluscs (Chapter 16) comes chapters have been completely revised from the first
from a detailed understanding of variation in life edition, reflecting in part, the interests and
cycles and life histories of the platyhelminths backgrounds of the new authors. Yet the substantial
(Chapter 6). This dual focus, under one cover, is the revisions also reflect the pace of development in
hallmark of this text. methodologies and in overall approaches that have
Our aim is to provide students with a synthetic matured the field over the past decade. While some of
understanding of the biodiversity, ecology, and evo- these developments have confirmed earlier ideas,
lution of animal parasites. Thus, throughout most of others have revolutionized our understanding of even
the text, we unabashedly take a parasite-centered view the most fundamental aspects of the parasitic way of
of the phenomenon of parasitism. Yet, we also aim to life. Thus, the incorporation of new model host–
provide insights on the nature of the host–parasite parasite interactions that are amenable to manipula-
interaction itself. It is for this reason that following a tion in the laboratory and field have provided key
brief introductory chapter, we provide an overview of insights into how parasite populations are regulated
vertebrate and invertebrate immunity, and the new and how they are distributed among hosts in space and
discipline of ecological immunology. We turn again time (Chapter 12). Studies at the community level
and again to the importance of fundamental immu- (Chapter 13) have also benefited from rigorous empir-
nological principles throughout the text. ical approaches involving key model systems where
There are now nine biodiversity chapters the composition of component species can be manip-
(Chapters 3–11). We have added chapters on the ulated. In Chapter 14, we see how advances in molec-
Myxozoa, Microsporida, and Nematomorpha, ular biology, genomics, and remote sensing have
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transformed our understanding of parasite biogeog- photographs, and micrographs for the new edition.
raphy and phylogeography. Coverage in Chapter 15 is Their generous contributions are acknowledged in the
focused on the diverse manner in which parasites can figure captions. John Sullivan is especially thanked for
affect the biology of their hosts, whether it is at the sharing several of his photographs from his excellent
level of the host individual, or on the structure of entire parasitological resource, A Color Atlas of Parasitology.
host ecosystems. Again, key advances stemming from Vancouver Island University is thanked for provid-
empirical, hypothesis-testing approaches involving ing Tim Goater the sabbatical and professional devel-
selected model systems have markedly advanced our opment funds that enabled this revision to take shape.
understanding of the magnitude of these effects, and Special thanks also to Mike Steele, David Marcogliese,
their underlying mechanisms. The focus in Chapter 16 and Herman Eure for providing office space during his
takes the next logical step, covering the manner in sabbatical, as well as Eric Demers, Larissa Nelson,
which parasites affect the evolutionary and coevolu- Wendy Simms, and Jane Watson for their enthusiastic
tionary trajectory of their hosts. We conclude the text encouragement throughout the project. Likewise, Cam
by summarizing the nature of the parasite/human/ thanks Dean Chris Nicol and Chair Brent Selinger for
habitat interface, and how the multidisciplinary field moral support and teaching relief during the peak
of environmental parasitology (Chapter 17) can assist phases of this revision, and colleagues Doug Bray,
in interpreting the nature of host–parasite interactions Doug Colwell, Andy Hurly, Joe Rasmussen, and Brian
in the face of anthropogenic change. Wisenden for their constant support. Cam also extends
As with all projects of this scope, this book is a thanks to Barb Johnson and staff at Waterton Lakes
collaborative effort. We extend sincere thanks to the National Park for access to their cabin during key
authors of the first edition, Al Bush, Jackie Fernández, writing phases. Most sincere thanks also to Lori Goater
and Dick Seed for their initial vision and dedication. for her monumental patience and support and to Ben
Several of their line drawings and photographs, and Ali for frequently reminding their dad, and their
incorporating the image-editing skills of Maggie Bush, uncle, that parasite ecologists come in all ages.
have been retained here. Numerous colleagues offered Our primary editor, Katrina Halliday and her assis-
valuable suggestions on specific sections/chapters, tant, Megan Waddington at Cambridge University
especially Carter Atkinson, Mark Blaxter, Katharina Press are thanked for all of their help addressing our
Dittmar, Eric Hoberg, Jens Høeg, Kayla King, David many queries and, especially for their patience and
Marcogliese, Jim Mertins, Beth Okamura, George devotion to seeing this project to its completion.
Poinar, John Webster, Chris Whipps, and Stephen
Yanoviak. We also appreciate the insightful comments Timothy M. Goater
John Holmes provided for several chapters. Several of Cameron P. Goater
our former students, especially Martin Anglestad,
Mellisa Beck, Aaron Jex, Chelsea Matisz, Phillip
Morrison, Vanessa Phillips, Brad van Paridon, and About this edition
Chris Whipps helped to review and edit chapters. Their
perspectives helped clarify and focus our efforts. The first Edition of our book was published in 2001. Al
This revision contains many new drawings, as well Bush, Jackie Fernández, and Dick Seed were
as new photographs and micrographs. Bill Pennell co-authors, along with myself. Sadly, Al died in 2006.
spent many hours of his retirement taking several new Further, Jackie stepped aside to raise two sons and Dick
photographs, as well as editing countless others. Doug retired from his faculty position at the University of
Bray and Brad van Paridon took several of the new North Carolina-Chapel Hill. As the only original
scanning electron micrographs. We thank our col- author that was still active professionally, it became
leagues for contributing extensive new data figures, my responsibility to recruit new co-authors. Given the
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overall theme and target audience of the text, my Throughout the writing of both editions, I maintained
choice fell upon brothers, Tim and Cam Goater. Tim my duties as Editor of the Journal of Parasitology, as
was a former Ph.D. student of mine at Wake Forest well as my teaching. Mrs. Vickie Hennings, my Editorial
University, and Cam was a former Ph.D. student with Assistant for the Journal, continued her responsibilities
Clive Kennedy at the University of Exeter. Both while I was occasionally subsumed by the book. Cindy
brothers were mentored by Al Bush at Brandon Davis and Zella Johnson, both long-term secretaries for
University in Manitoba, Canada. Tim and Cam have the Department of Biology at Wake Forest University,
extensive experience teaching senior undergraduate are thanked for their help as well. I especially express
courses in parasitology and ecology, and Cam extends my appreciation to Ann for being such a marvelous
his teaching perspectives to the mentoring of graduate ‘listener’ and for her constant support from the book’s
students. Both have diverse and complementary inception.
research backgrounds that, together, span most areas
of modern parasitology. Gerald W. Esch
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1 Introduction
1.1 Encounters with parasites For the pet and livestock owner, parasite encounters
may have occurred when a veterinarian requested a
On a fateful spring day in a small northern Canadian fecal sample for diagnosis of eggs/larval stages of
town in the 1970s, two of the authors (the two that are intestinal worms. Perhaps, as a hunter or a fisherman,
related) of this text came upon a sickly red fox. you have queried the identity of that animal wriggling
Following some foolhardy thinking, they handled the in wild game meat or fish. In recent years, these com-
fox and carried it home. A few days later, health mon or at least dramatic parasites of humans, their
officials diagnosed the fox with rabies. To avoid the livestock, or their pets have been made famous in the
fatal consequences of the disease, the brothers required popular media (e.g., Zimmer, 2000a; 2000b), even
daily intramuscular injections of the prophylactic drug including in situ video footage on You-Tube and on
that was used at the time. We recall the episode with prime-time television shows.
memories of pain, dismay from parents, and ruthless As undergraduate students, your first encounters
teasing from our friends. And so goes our introduction with parasites and with the phenomenon of parasitism
to the world of parasites. So too goes our introduction likely occurred in your introductory courses. At each of
to the phenomenon of parasitism. Readers might our universities, majors in many of the life sciences
envision two teenagers discussing how their predica- require an introductory course that describes the
ment arose: How did that fox get infected? Why was diversity and unity of the Tree of Life. In a course such
the fox population, but not the racoon population, so as this, it would be impossible for instructors to sample
heavily infected that year? How does the virus migrate that diversity without covering examples of parasites,
from the site of a wound, to the brain, to saliva? How, although coverage is likely restricted to key human
and why, does it transform a normally secretive and parasites – a protist, a fluke, a cestode, and so on.
nocturnal animal into one that is aggressive and Likewise, our majors are required to take an introduc-
diurnal? There are obvious parallels between these tory course that covers basic principles of ecology and
early queries and modern questions associated with evolution. One encouraging sign of the expanding
host specificity, parasite site selection, the geograph- reach of studies on the phenomenon of parasitism is its
ical mosaic of coevolution, and mechanisms of alter- increased coverage in mainstream ecology and evolu-
ations in host behavior. tion texts (e.g., Begon et al., 2006; Freeman & Herron,
We hope that your introduction to parasites was (is) 2007). Nonetheless, time constraints in a single-
not as dramatic, or as dangerous, as it was for two of semester introductory course likely limit coverage of
us! Indeed, for many, initial exposure to the concept of examples involving parasites.
parasitism likely originated from media reports that In the chapters that follow, our coverage assumes
describe human mortality and morbidity caused by that you have encountered parasites, both anecdotally
diseases such as malaria, or other parasitic diseases and academically. Thus, we assume that senior stu-
that are so common in developing countries. Or, per- dents in the life or medical sciences have an appreci-
haps you have heard about certain parasites that are ation for basic principles of classification and
transmitted via ingestion of untreated water, or phylogeny and an appreciation for variation in the life
swimming in it, or from eating poorly cooked meat. cycles and general biology of a few animal parasites.
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2 Introduction
We also assume a general understanding of basic histories, and in their strategies for nutrient acquisi-
concepts of ecology and of the fundamental and uni- tion. Our intent through this section is to provide
fying nature of evolutionary processes. Although we insight on ‘the art of being a parasite’, a phrase
do not emphasize the mathematical underpinnings of coined by Claude Combes (2005) to describe the man-
host–parasite interactions, we do assume that senior ner in which parasites of all types solve the unifying
students have a numeracy background consistent with problems of entering a host (‘getting in, or on’),
introductory courses in calculus, linear algebra, and/or remaining in a host (‘staying in’), and reproducing
statistics. We do not assume a strong background in (‘getting out’). Our taxonomic scope is broad, with
immunology or pathology. emphasis on the traditional protists and ‘worms’ but
also on lesser-known groups such as the microspori-
dians, myxozoans, hairworms, and pentastomes.
1.2 Scope Much of our coverage through this section distils
material that is covered in parasitology texts
Our first aim is to provide students with an apprecia- (e.g., Noble et al., 1989; Kearn, 1998; Roberts &
tion for the biodiversity of animal parasites. From the Janovy, 2009). However, relative to these excellent
perspective of understanding our planet’s biodiversity, texts, we restrict our taxonomic scope to key families
and understanding factors leading to its loss, an or orders within each group, and we emphasize those
appreciation for the diversity of parasites is important. groups that provide models for enquiries on the ecol-
Parasitism is recognized as the most common strategy ogy and evolution of parasitism that we cover in later
used by animals to obtain nutrients (Price, 1980; de chapters.
Meeus et al., 1998; de Meeus & Renaud, 2002), ubiq- Our second aim is to develop in students an appre-
uitous across the Tree of Life. Poulin & Morand (2004) ciation for the phenomenon of parasitism. And from
consider that there have been at least 60 independent our perspective, we view the core of the phenomenon
evolutionary transitions from free-living to obligately to be ecological in nature. Thus, whether interest is in
parasitic animals. Estimates of the overall biodiversity understanding the innumerable rates that define the
of parasites vary depending on how inclusive we outcome of host–parasite relationships (e.g., rates of
define ‘parasite,’ but approximately 30–50% of exposure to infective stages, rates of within-host
described animal species are parasitic at some stage migration, rates of parasite-induced host mortality,
during their life cycle (Price, 1980; Poulin & Morand, rates of dispersal, and so on), or in the dynamics of the
2004). Given that virtually all metazoan species are molecular exchange that occurs at the host–parasite
infected with at least one species of parasite (most interface, or in the global distribution of parasites,
species contain many more), that all viruses and many basic ecological principles can be applied to help
prokaryotes and fungi are parasitic, and that we focus our thinking about host–parasite interactions. It
underestimate the biodiversity of groups such as is this perspective that lies at the roots of ‘parasite
nematodes and mites (see Chapters 8 and 11), these ecology’ as a subdiscipline within the ecological sci-
rough estimates are undoubtedly low. Clearly, knowl- ences. These roots were developed and formalized
edge of parasite biodiversity equates to knowledge of some 30–40 years ago following the coincident pub-
key branches of the Tree of Life. lications of seminal works by empirical field biolo-
The biodiversity section of the text (Chapters 3–11) gists (Kennedy, 1975; Price, 1980) and quantitative
provides an overview of the main taxa of protist and ecologists (Crofton, 1971; Anderson & May, 1979).
metazoan parasites. Our focus is on characterization of The dynamic tension between their alternative per-
key features that define each group, followed by cov- spectives continues to richly define the direction of a
erage of how natural selection has shaped variation in field that is now seeing an unprecedented level of
their morphologies, in their life cycles and life activity.
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Scope 3
Over the 10 years since the first edition of our text wide range of host–parasite interactions. Our
was published, key advances have been made in vir- overall approach through this section is empirical,
tually all areas of parasite ecology and evolution. rather than conceptual. Thus, we develop our argu-
These include the epidemiology of wildlife disease ments based primarily upon observations from field-
(Hudson et al., 2001), parasite phylogeny and phylo- based and laboratory-based experiments, although
genetics (Brooks & McLennan, 2002), parasites and we incorporate key results from field surveys of
host behavior (Moore, 2002), parasite biodiversity particular hosts when warranted. Although we
(Poulin & Morand, 2004), evolutionary ecology (Frank, cover the mathematical and conceptual framework
2002; Poulin, 2007; Thomas et al., 2009; Schmid- of certain areas of enquiry, our perspective is
Hempel, 2011), and parasite biogeography (Morand & empirical and rests strongly on the background that
Krasnov, 2010). Two texts that synthesize general we developed in the biodiversity section of the text.
advances in parasite ecology and evolution, one Readers seeking advances in more quantitative
from an empirical standpoint (Combes, 2001) and one aspects of parasite ecology and epidemiology should
from a conceptual standpoint (Poulin, 2007), are consult Hudson et al. (2001), Ebert (2005), or
especially notable. Over the past 10 years or so, the Schmid-Hempel (2011).
new subdisciplines of ecological immunology, land- Despite the enormous strides made in methods and
scape epidemiology, emerging diseases, and environ- approaches, modern studies in parasite biodiversity
mental parasitology have blossomed as exciting ‘hot and ecology continue to be influenced by traditional
topics.’ This surge in interest is partly due to the approaches in parasitology, in which parasites of
explosion in the use of modern molecular methods, humans and their domesticated animals have
enabling advances in our understanding of parasite played a key role. Throughout the biodiversity section
biodiversity, phylogenetics, population genetics, and of the text, we retain some of that traditional cover-
host–parasite coevolution that would have been age. We do so because the history of discovery in
unthinkable even 10 years ago. Yet, the pace of parasitology provides the roots of current enquiry,
advance is also due to the rapid increase in the use of and is itself a fascinating story of human endeavour
experimental model systems to test key hypotheses (Box 1.1). For further account of key historical
regarding the ecology of host–parasite interactions. developments in parasitology, readers are directed
While traditional model systems involving laboratory to Esch (2007). We also retain some emphasis on
rats and mice as hosts continue to provide important select human parasites because the discovery in
insights, major recent advances have arisen from these groups has provided unmatched opportunities
models involving parasites of hosts such as stickle- for increased understanding of ecological and
backs, guppies, water fleas, songbirds, and wild small evolutionary phenomena. For instance, results of
mammals. Indeed, we view the multidisciplinarity studies on the interaction between falciparum
arising between parasitologists and ecologists, so long malaria and the gene responsible for sickle-cell
called for by the fathers of parasite ecology, that is anemia provide one of the best examples of
perhaps most responsible for the unparalleled advan- parasite-mediated natural selection (Chapter 16).
ces we are currently witnessing in the field (review in Yet, this example stems from years of dedicated
Poulin, 2007). effort that enabled detection of the single amino acid
Our aim in this section of the text is to provide substitution that alters the structure of the hemoglo-
an overview of modern parasite ecology, evolution, bin molecule. We cover similar examples throughout
and coevolution. In this edition, we update our ear- the text, not necessarily in the context of human
lier treatment by taking into account results origi- disease, but in the context of central questions
nating from modern advances in molecular regarding the ecology and evolution of host–parasite
methodologies and from experimental models on a interactions.
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4 Introduction
Sometime around 1500 BC, an Egyptian physician assembled a large body of medical infor-
mation regarding the diagnosis and treatment of diseases known to occur at the time. Written in
hieroglyphics on papyrus and sealed in a tomb, it was discovered in 1872. It was translated by
Georg Ebers in 1873, becoming known as the Ebers’ Papyrus among Egyptologists. This volume
became an invaluable source that documented the medical profession that existed in the ancient
world.
Based on these writings, we now know that early Egyptian physicians were aware of at least
two parasitic helminths infecting humans. One of these was a nematode, probably Ascaris. The
recommended treatment for infection by this apparently common worm included turpentine and
goose fat! The second parasite was a tapeworm, most likely Taenia saginata, for which a special
poultice applied to the abdomen was the recommended treatment. Whereas the digenean,
Schistosoma haematobium, was not described per se, the bloody urine produced by this parasite
was a well-known symptom. Moreover, eggs of this worm have since been identified in
mummies from the thirteenth century BC (Grove, 1990). It is also possible that the hookworm
nematode, Ancylostoma duodenale, was present based on descriptions in the Ebers’ Papyrus of a
‘deathly pallor’ in some patients, a condition that may have been caused by hookworm-induced
anemia.
Concurrently, another group of ancients was acquainted with a number of helminth parasites
in the Nile Valley. Thus, for example, consider Numbers 21:6–9, which refers to ‘the Fiery
Serpent,’ now recognized as the nematode Dracunculus medinensis. When the Israelites mis-
behaved during their trek out of Egypt, they were directed by God, through Moses, to “make a
serpent of brass and put it upon a pole.” And, “when he beheld the serpent of brass, he lived.” This
treatment is still used today, that is, to remove the large female nematode from its subcutaneous
site of infection, and then to slowly twist the parasite on a stick, until it is removed intact. Many
feel the Hebrew law against eating the flesh of an ‘unclean’ animal, e.g., a pig, can be traced to
the nematode Trichinella spiralis or the cestode Taenia solium. On the other hand, the Talmud (a
sacred Jewish book), written in AD 390, referenced the hydatid cysts of the tapeworm
Echinococcus granulosus, indicating that they were not fatal.
Periodic fevers due to malaria were mentioned in Chinese writings from around 2700 BC and
in every civilization since. Hippocrates (460 BC–377 BC) provided the earliest detailed descrip-
tion of these periodic fevers. Both Hippocrates and Aristotle (383–322 BC) were aware of ‘worms’
and refer to cucumber and melon seeds in the ‘dung’ of humans. Both references are probably to
the gravid proglottids of Taenia saginata. Galen (AD 130–200) referred to the intestinal phases of
what were probably Ascaris lumbricoides and Enterobius vermicularis, saying that the former
worms preferred the upper portion of the gut whereas the latter were closer to the anus. He found
that tapeworms, on the other hand, were found throughout the length of the intestine. These
observations, so long ago, may be the first reference to the site specificity exhibited by parasites.
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Terminology 5
The earliest use of the microscope, by Antony von Leeuwenhoek in the seventeenth century,
provided a phenomenal breakthrough for the biological sciences and parasitology. He actually
observed, and described, the unicellular protozoan parasite Giardia lamblia, apparently from his
own feces! Also in the seventeenth century, several scientists prepared detailed drawings of a
number of parasitic helminths. One father of parasitology was Francesco Redi (1626–1697), who
not only determined that mites could make one itch, but apparently was also an inveterate collector,
describing some 108 species of parasites. Perhaps Redi’s greatest contribution was that he showed
that parasites produce eggs, dispelling the widespread myth that parasites developed through
spontaneous generation. The idea of spontaneous generation persisted for many years, however,
and it took Louis Pasteur’s now classic experiments in nineteenth-century Paris to quash the notion.
The late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries were times of major discoveries dealing with
some of the protist and helminth scourges of humans, including Wuchereria bancrofti as the
causative agent for elephantiasis and tsetse flies as the vectors for African trypanosomiasis.
Ronald Ross, while working in India in 1897, demonstrated that mosquitoes vectored
Plasmodium, winning the Nobel Prize for physiology in 1902. At the turn of the century, Paul
Erlich described the first chemotherapeutic agents for African trypanosomiasis and syphilis.
With this discovery, he hypothesized that organic molecules with selective toxicity to parasitic
organisms would be found. For this, he is considered the father of modern chemotherapy.
Between 1907 and 1912, Carlos Chagas determined the identity of trypanosomes that cause
Chagas’ disease and worked out the parasite’s life cycle in the reduviid bug vector. In the early
1880s, Algernon Thomas and Rudolph Leuckart independently completed stages in the life cycle
of the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica, including detailed descriptions of the swimming behaviors
of the ‘embryos’ that hatched from eggs, their penetration into snails, and their subsequent
intramolluscan development. Thomas and Leuckart and others will be remembered for their
many contributions (review in Esch, 2007), and paving the way for all those who resolved so
many other parasitological mysteries.
6 Introduction
Dir
raction
ec
mental vagueness that characterizes the definition of
ion
t tro
parasite. Nor do we do so in this text (for complete
t
rac
ph
ophic inte
discussions, see Zelmer, 1998; Combes, 2001). In his
ic
inte
int
influential text on coevolution, Thompson (1994)
era
hic
trop
c
emphasizes that all definitions dealing with interspecific
Indirect tr
tio
n
No
interactions are necessarily vague. From our perspective,
Benefit
Harm
we consider that a parasite has a metabolic commitment
to its host, has evolved morphological and physiological
adaptations to living in, or on it, and has the potential to re
Pho sy mensalis ploitation tualism
om Ex Mu
decrease host fitness. As we have indicated previously,
m
C
our focus is on the familiar parasitic protists, worms, and
arthropods, although we extend our coverage to include
lesser-known taxa because they provide splendid mod-
Se
els in parasite ecology. The extent to which groups such d
ille
ldo
as phytophagous insects, molecular parasites, blood- sk
ay
m
l w
kil
sucking leeches and flies, and brood parasites (e.g., A
led
cuckoos) apply to our coverage of animal parasitism,
Many hosts
Many hosts
One host
One host
provides an excellent topic for discussion in our classes,
but they lie outside the scope of this text.
Parasitism is one of at least four complex symbiotic dat
Pre or rasitoid opredato Parasite
relationships. Symbiosis, a term coined by de Bary in Pa icr
M
r
1879, literally means ‘living together of differently
named organisms.’ It describes the relationship in which
a symbiont lives in, or on, another living host. Symbiotic
interactions, or ‘symbioses’, include a tremendous vari- Fig. 1.1 ‘Parasitism’s place’ within the context of symbiotic
ety of intimate partnerships in nature. In the broadest relationships. This is one way of looking at parasitism and
sense, there is no implication with respect to the length or it is based, initially, on trophic relationships, followed by
outcome of the association, nor does it imply physio- ‘harm,’ and finally, quantity of hosts involved. The final
logical dependence or benefit or harm to the symbionts criterion, number of hosts attacked, is meaningful only if
restricted to a single life history stage. For example, adult
involved in the partnership. Given such a broad defini-
parasitoids may parasitize many host individuals but their
tion of symbiosis, a functional separation can be made in larvae live in, and consume, only a single individual.
relation to the feeding biology of one or both of the Likewise, a typical helminth parasite may have both
symbiotic partners, as well as the degree of host exploi- intermediate and definitive hosts, but each life history
tation. Thus, categories of symbiosis relate to trophic stage will infect only a single host individual. These
categories are arbitrary and, often, there is considerable
relationships, and if and how energy is transferred
overlap between many of the relationships. (Figure
between the partners. Such categories are best viewed as courtesy of Al Bush.)
a continuum with overlapping boundaries (Fig. 1.1).
If there is no trophic interaction involved in the sym-
biotic interaction, then the relationship is called
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Terminology 7
8 Introduction
Fig. 1.3 Scanning electron micrographs illustrating the elaborate holdfasts of host-specific tapeworms of elasmobranchs.
(A) Scolex of the trypanorhynch cestode Paragrillotia similis from the spiral intestine of the Atlantic nurse shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum; (B) scolex of the rhinebothriidean cestode Rhinebothrium megacanthophallus from the spiral intestine
of the freshwater whipray Himantura polylepis. (Micrographs courtesy of Janine Caira (A) and Claire Healy (B).)
Terminology 9
10 Introduction
hosts via food web interactions. Life cycles in which Trichinella spiralis, and the human blood fluke,
more than one host are required are referred to as Schistosoma japonicum. Ecologically, reservoir hosts
indirect life cycles. Many parasites have remarkably are similar to paratenic hosts since they may greatly
complex life cycles with several hosts and both free- increase transmission rates, and also help prevent local
living and obligate parasitic larval stages. extinction of the parasite. The potential for controlling
Some protozoans and filarial nematodes have ‘vectors’ zoonotic diseases in humans is greatly complicated by
as hosts. Vectors are micropredators that transmit infec- the presence of these reservoir hosts. Furthermore, res-
tive stages from one host to another. A vector may be an ervoir hosts greatly complicate the zoonotic parasite’s
intermediate or a definitive host, depending on whether ‘epidemiology’. Epidemiology is the study of all the
the sexual phase of the parasite’s life cycle occurs in it or many complex, inter-related ecological factors respon-
not. For example, the insect vectors for species of sible for the transmission and distribution of a human
Plasmodium, the causative agents of malaria, are certain disease. A related term is ‘epizootiology’. Epizootiology
species of female mosquitoes that actively inoculate usually refers to the factors involved in the transmission
infective stages of the parasite into the next host during and distribution of non-human parasites, often in
their blood meals. Sexual reproduction occurs within the reference to epizootics. The epidemiology of human
stomach of the mosquito; consequently, mosquitoes are parasites and the epizootiology of parasites of fishery,
the definitive hosts for the parasite. veterinary, and wildlife importance will be stressed
A number of parasites may use hosts in which there throughout the upcoming chapters.
is no development and that are not always obligatory
for the completion of a parasite’s life cycle. These are
called ‘paratenic’ or ‘transport hosts’. Such hosts are 1.4 Overview
most frequently used to bridge an ecological, or tro-
phic, gap. For example, adults of the fluke, Halipegus All eukaryotes have the capacity to recognize invading
occidualis, live under the tongue of green frogs (Color cells or organisms as non-self. It follows that a fun-
plate Fig. 1.1). Snails in the genus Helisoma are obli- damental feature of the parasitic life style lies in the
gate first intermediate hosts, whereas aquatic micro- host’s ability to defend itself against a limitless diver-
crustaceans such as ostracods are obligate second sity of invaders. It is the strength and duration of host
intermediate hosts. But green frogs do not normally defenses that defines such features of the host–parasite
consume these small crustaceans. It turns out that relationship as specificity, parasite-induced pathology
various species of odonate (dragonflies and damsel- and phenotype alteration, site selection, parasite–
flies) prey upon ostracods, thus acting as paratenic mediated natural selection, and coevolution. Given the
hosts for this trematode. Thus, frogs are exposed to fundamental importance of host defenses to the ecol-
Halipegus larvae when they prey on nymphs and ogy and evolution of parasitism, we provide an intro-
metamorphosed odonates. In this four-host life cycle, duction to the massive field of immunology in
the parasite exploits two predator–prey interactions to Chapter 2. Our coverage is not meant to replace an
enhance transmission (see Fig. 6.23). introductory course in immunology. Instead, our aim
A number of animals are normal hosts for parasites is to cover the basics of innate and adaptive immunity
that may also infect humans. These are called ‘reservoir in both invertebrates and vertebrates, and also provide
hosts’. These non-human hosts act as reservoirs of an introduction to the interdisciplinary fields of
infection for certain parasites. Diseases of animals that immunoparasitology and ecological immunology.
are transmissible to humans are called zoonotic dis- The following nine chapters cover the biodiversity
eases, or ‘zoonoses’. Thus, giardiasis, trichinellosis, and of animal parasites. In each of these chapters we take a
schistosomiasis are examples of zoonoses. Similarly, parasite-centered approach to describe functional
rats are important reservoir hosts for the nematode, morphology, life-cycle variation, and biodiversity. Our
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Overview 11
coverage within these chapters is selective, and not of Life. These new tools have, in many cases, trans-
meant to parallel the coverage of this material in formed traditional views of parasite biodiversity and
modern parasitology texts. Our aim is to provide have led to a re-interpretation of the course of evolu-
examples that are representative of key groups, espe- tion in several of the main groups. These new phylo-
cially those that provide models that are used to ask genetic schemes also have implications for how we
leading ecological or evolutionary questions. To con- diagnose and treat some key parasites of humans.
clude each of these chapters, we cover phylogenetic Thus, we emphasize modern phylogenetic classifica-
classification. Our aim is to summarize the tremendous tions of the main groups of animal parasites because
advances that have been made over the past decade in they provide an evolutionary context for the chapters
parasite ‘systematics’, paralleling the increased use of that follow, and because they have led to new insights
molecular classification schemes across the entire Tree into the evolution of parasitism. Box 1.2 provides a
Deciphering the evolutionary relationships of parasitic animals can be a daunting, yet exciting
challenge. Consider briefly three enigmatic taxa that have long intrigued invertebrate biologists
and parasitologists. The pentastomids (Chapter 10) are primarily obligate parasites of the lungs
of reptiles. These parasites have been shown to be most closely related to a group of arthropods
known as branchiuran crustaceans. A crustacean in a snake’s lung seems bizarre to say the least!
Or, consider the Myxozoa described in Chapter 5. Previously classified with single-celled
organisms, it turns out that these multicellular fish endoparasites share evolutionary affinities
with cnidarians. This makes the cnidarians far more diverse, both in terms of morphology and
habitat exploitation, then was ever appreciated. Perhaps equally remarkable is that the endo-
parasitic thorny-headed worms (Acanthocephala) are evolutionarily linked to certain free-living
rotifers (see Box 7.4). To fully understand how biologists have made such monumental changes
to the Tree of Life you need to master some of the terminology of the modern systematist.
The focus of phylogenetics research is ‘homology’. Morphological features that share a common
evolutionary origin are said to be homologous. Thus, any differences in homologous features
among different parasite groups reflect descent from ancestors with modification (Pechenik, 2010).
Homologous features can then be used in construction of phylogenetic trees and taxonomic
classifications. Unfortunately, homologous features are not always easily recognized.
Morphologies, for example, can independently evolve from very different ancestors, to give a close
resemblance by convergence. These morphologies may appear to be homologous, but they are not.
Another problematic issue concerns the direction of evolutionary change. Which of two homol-
ogous characters is the original, or ancestral, state, and which represents the more derived state?
This question can be particularly difficult to decipher for parasites. We will see that much of the
debate concerning the systematics of a given group of parasites centers on these issues.
Cladistics is a widely used approach to deduce evolutionary relationships. The terminology in
this field of systematics is complex. We introduce here as few terms as possible in order to help
you understand the basics. Cladistics use so-called ‘synapomorphies’ (Greek, synshared,
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12 Introduction
up
up
ro
ro
ro
tg
tg
tg
ou
ou
a) Monophyletic b) Paraphyletic c) Polyphyletic Sister taxa are each other’s closest rela-
Fig. 1.8 Cladograms showing the relationships of four taxa: A, B, tives; they arise from the same branch-
C, and D. (a) depicts a monophyletic group or clade, defined by a ing point (node) on a cladogram because
shared, derived trait or synapomorphy; note that taxa CD and
ABCD are also monophyletic; (b) 1 of 4 possible paraphyletic they are derived from the same ancestor.
groups is illustrated (others are ABC, ABD, ACD); (c) 1 of 4 Cladists also identify an ‘outgroup’, a
possible polyphyletic groups is shown (others are AC, AD, BC). closely related taxon that lies outside the
The outgroup (X) is phylogenetically close but not within the
taxa being studied (Fig 1.8). The out-
taxa being studied. (Figure courtesy of Danielle Morrison.)
group’s characteristics are assumed to
represent the ancestral condition.
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Overview 13
The best phylogenetics studies consider dozens of different characters to infer evolu-
tionary relationships. The field of phylogenetic systematics has been revolutionized by
accessing the genetic code of life via the nucleotides in DNA and RNA, and comparing
these gene sequences (especially 18S ribosomal RNA and mitochondrial DNA) among taxa.
Indeed, throughout the upcoming chapters we will see that it is this molecular revolution that
has greatly altered our taxonomic classification system of parasitic animals. Moreover,
molecular data are helping us to more fully understand the origins and evolution of para-
sitism, and the interrelationships within the various animal parasite taxa (e.g., see Figs. 5.11,
7.12, 8.26).
While a primary focus of many phylogenetics studies is to help resolve parasite taxonomic
issues, they are also widely used for several other reasons, including analyzing the geographical
distributions of hosts and their parasites, and how distributions have changed over time. The
research field uniting phylogeny with geography, as well as evolution and geology, is called
‘phylogeography’ (Chapter 14). In addition, phylogenetics is widely used in studies of host–
parasite ‘coevolution’ and ‘cospeciation’ (Chapter 16).
primer for the two approaches, classical taxonomy characterize the structure of multi-species parasite
(or evolutionary systematics) and phylogenetic sys- assemblages and then emphasize how modern
tematics (or ‘cladistics’), that are so often used to empirical approaches have uncovered some unex-
test hypotheses regarding the origins of parasitism pected underlying mechanisms. We conclude this
and the evolutionary relationships between and chapter by describing comparative patterns of para-
among taxa. site biodiversity among host species, ending with a
The next six chapters summarize advances in discussion of the approaches that field-based para-
parasite ecology and evolution, drawing upon sitologists utilize to infer causation. In Chapter 14,
results from modern empirical studies on a wide we extend the hierarchy to include aspects of para-
range of model host–parasite interactions. This sec- site biogeography and phylogeography. Our
tion is structured hierarchically, beginning with emphasis in this chapter is on how tools drawn from
coverage of parasite population biology and epi- molecular biology, genomics, and remote sensing
demiology in Chapter 12. Following a section on are revolutionizing our understanding of the geo-
terminology, we briefly introduce the mathematical graphical distribution of parasites, ranging from
foundation upon which these subdisciplines rest. We continent-wide scales, down to a few meters.
then shift to a brief introduction of how parasite In the final three chapters, we shift our focus
populations are distributed within their host popu- away from the parasites themselves, onto the nature
lations, and how parasite population sizes are of the host–parasite interaction and the complex
determined and regulated. We proceed along this interplay that exists between the two partners over
natural hierarchy to synthesize advances in parasite ecological and evolutionary timescales. Given the
community ecology in Chapter 13. Here, we first exploitative nature of the relationship, the concept of
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