This document is organized into 22 peer-reviewed chapters. Each of the chapters focuses on an individual cestode group, begins with the status of knowledge of the group prior to the inception of the PBI project, and ends with an assessment of the current understanding of the group. In each case, diversity, classification, morphology, phylogenetic relationships, host associations, and geographic distribution are addressed. In all but one case, each chapter includes a list of valid taxa. Synonyms have not generally been listed; this was determined to be beyond the scope of the project given the immensity of such lists for some groups. With over 3,000 valid species, the generation of a list of species for the Cyclophyllidea was also determined to be beyond the scope of this project. However, a list of valid higher taxa is provided. Each of the 19 cestode orders is addressed alphabetically in separate chapters with two exceptions. The Mesocestoididae are treated as a family in the Cyclophyllidea. Although evidence supporting recognition of the former as an independent order is mounting, the case remains to be formally made based on more detailed investigations of this enigmatic group of mammal parasites. The Onchoproteocephalidea are the second exception. So as to emphasize the dual nature of the host associations and scolex morphology of its members, the freshwater fish-parasitizing taxa (formerly assigned to the order Proteocephalidea) are treated in a chapter as the Onchoproteocephalidea I separately from the taxa that parasitize elasmobranchs, which are treated as the Onchoproteocephalidea II. Use of quotation marks around taxon names (e.g., the order "Tetraphyllidea") is to remind readers of the definitively non-monophyletic nature of these groups.

Hybridisation in Parasites: Disease Evolution by Saltation, Volume 119 in the Advances in Parasitology: Disease Evolution by Saltation, the latest release in this ongoing series, includes medical studies of parasites of major influence, along with reviews of more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy and life history. Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field of parasitology Includes medical studies of parasites of major influence Features reviews of more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy and life history which help shape current thinking and applications

Produced amidst the still rippling effects of a pandemic and as the world experiences the increasing burden of global warming and a rapidly changing biosphere, the second edition of Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach offers a timely overview of the eukaryotic parasites affecting human health and the health of domestic and wild animals and plants. The book offers a broadly encompassing, integrative view of the phenomenon of parasitism and of the remarkable diversity of the world’s parasites. This second edition has been thoroughly updated on all aspects of parasitism, including expanded sections on parasite biodiversity, parasite genomes, the interface between parasitology and disease ecology, and applications of new techniques like CRISPR and gene drives for parasite control. Key selling features: Emphasis on a distinctive integrative and conceptual approach rather than the taxon-by-taxon approach used in most parasitology books A concise, handy Rogues Gallery section that summarizes the basic biology for the most important eukaryotic parasites of humans and domestic animals, one a reader is repeatedly directed to throughout the chapters Outstanding full-color illustrations and photographs to reinforce key points The use of text boxes to set apart important topics or ideas that deserve special emphasis Provision of end-of-chapter summaries, questions to test understanding and key references for those wishing to seek further information Reference to particular URLs to highlight recent developments that often pose new and distinctive problems awaiting solution Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach is designed for an upper-level undergraduate audience, but its readability and careful explanation of underlying scientific concepts and terminology makes it appropriate for anyone seeking a broader understanding of the impact of infectious organisms on our well-being and the changes underway in the modern world.

An exciting look at the essential roles that parasites play in Earth’s ecosystems This book looks at the weird and wonderful world of parasites, the most abundant form of life on Earth. Parasites come in all forms and sizes and inhabit every free-living organism. Parasitism is now, and always has been, a way to survive under changing environmental conditions. From arctic oceans to tropical forests, Scott Gardner, Judy Diamond, and Gabor Racz investigate how parasites survive and evolve, and how they influence and provide stability to ecosystems. Taking readers to the open ranges of Mongolia, the Sandhills of north-central Nebraska, the Andes of Bolivia, and more, the authors examine the impact parasites have on humans and other animals. Using examples of parasites from throughout the tree of life, the authors describe parasite-host relationships as diverse as those between trematodes and snails and tapeworms and whales. They even consider the strange effects of thorny-headed worms on their hosts. Parasites offer clues to the evolutionary history of particular regions, and they can provide insights into the history of species interactions. Through parasites, biologists can weave together a global knowledge of the past to predict the challenges that we will face in the future. Revealing that parasites are so much more than creepy-crawlies, this book gives up-to-date context for these critical members of the biological diversity of our planet.

Advances in Parasitology, Volume 120, the latest release in this ongoing series, includes medical studies of parasites of major influence, along with reviews of more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy and life history. - Informs and updates on all the latest developments in the field of parasitology - Includes medical studies of parasites of major influence - Features reviews of more traditional areas, such as zoology, taxonomy and life history which help shape current thinking and applications

This book aims to provide fundamental knowledge and information for research in molecular systematics on parasitic helminths (nematode, trematode, cestode). The shreds of evidence of molecular systematics studies will be compiled and discussed in terms of the utilities and pitfalls of the genetic marker used for various purposes, which have been implemented for molecular systematics of parasitic nematodes, cestodes, and trematodes. Moreover, this book will also provide the procedure for research on molecular systematics and DNA taxonomy as the guideline to explore parasitic helminths. Finally, the further perspectives of utilizing genetic markers for molecular studies on parasitic helminths will be addressed in the context of applications from the laboratory to fieldwork such as DNA barcoding and environmental DNA metabarcoding of parasitic helminths. The book will benefit postgraduate students and researchers requiring the detailed knowledge of molecular systematics, as well as researchers desiring a guideline to select genetic markers and analyze DNA sequences to make phylogenetic inferences