Viral Ecology defines and explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactions with their hosting species, including the types of transmission cycles that have evolved, encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles, and vectors. It examines virology from an organismal biology approach, focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of viruses, their hosts, and their vectors. The relationship between viruses and their hosting species The concept that viral interactions with their hosts represents a highly evolved aspect of organismal biology The types of transmission cycles which exist for viruses, including their hosts, vectors, and vehicles The concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of the viruses, their hosts, and their vectors

When we think about viruses we tend to consider ones that afflict humans—such as those that cause influenza, HIV, and Ebola. Yet, vastly more viruses infect single-celled microbes. Diverse and abundant, microbes and the viruses that infect them are found in oceans, lakes, plants, soil, and animal-associated microbiomes. Taking a vital look at the "microscopic" mode of disease dynamics, Quantitative Viral Ecology establishes a theoretical foundation from which to model and predict the ecological and evolutionary dynamics that result from the interaction between viruses and their microbial hosts. Joshua Weitz addresses three major questions: What are viruses of microbes and what do they do to their hosts? How do interactions of a single virus-host pair affect the number and traits of hosts and virus populations? How do virus-host dynamics emerge in natural environments when interactions take place between many viruses and many hosts? Emphasizing how theory and models can provide answers, Weitz offers a cohesive framework for tackling new challenges in the study of viruses and microbes and how they are connected to ecological processes—from the laboratory to the Earth system. Quantitative Viral Ecology is an innovative exploration of the influence of viruses in our complex natural world.

Viral Ecology defines and explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactions with their hosting species, including the types of transmission cycles that have evolved, encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles, and vectors. It examines virology from an organismal biology approach, focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of viruses, their hosts, and their vectors. - The relationship between viruses and their hosting species - The concept that viral interactions with their hosts represents a highly evolved aspect of organismal biology - The types of transmission cycles which exist for viruses, including their hosts, vectors, and vehicles - The concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of the viruses, their hosts, and their vectors

While the study of viral evolution has developed rapidly in the last 30 years, little attention has been directed toward linking the mechanisms of viral evolution to the epidemiological outcomes of these processes. This book intends to fill this gap by considering the patterns and processes of viral evolution at all its spatial and temporal scales.

When we think about viruses we tend to consider ones that afflict humans—such as those that cause influenza, HIV, and Ebola. Yet, vastly more viruses infect single-celled microbes. Diverse and abundant, microbes and the viruses that infect them are found in oceans, lakes, plants, soil, and animal-associated microbiomes. Taking a vital look at the "microscopic" mode of disease dynamics, Quantitative Viral Ecology establishes a theoretical foundation from which to model and predict the ecological and evolutionary dynamics that result from the interaction between viruses and their microbial hosts. Joshua Weitz addresses three major questions: What are viruses of microbes and what do they do to their hosts? How do interactions of a single virus-host pair affect the number and traits of hosts and virus populations? How do virus-host dynamics emerge in natural environments when interactions take place between many viruses and many hosts? Emphasizing how theory and models can provide answers, Weitz offers a cohesive framework for tackling new challenges in the study of viruses and microbes and how they are connected to ecological processes—from the laboratory to the Earth system. Quantitative Viral Ecology is an innovative exploration of the influence of viruses in our complex natural world.

This book explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactive dynamics with their hosting species (in this volume, in microbes and plants), including the types of transmission cycles that viruses have evolved encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles, and vectoring species. Examining virology from an organismal biology approach and focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecologies of the involved species, Viral Ecology is essential for students and professionals who either may be non-virologists or virologists whose previous familiarity has been very specialized.

This second edition of Studies in Viral Ecology is designed to serve as a means of updating the knowledge of virologists regarding the broader aspects of viral ecology. As with the first edition, this book explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactive dynamics with their hosting species (covering both animals and plants), including the types of transmission cycles that viruses have evolved encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles and vectoring species. Examining virology from an organismal biology approach and focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecologies of the involved species, Viral Ecology is essential for students and professionals who either may be non-virologists or virologists whose previous familiarity has been very specialized.This second edition of Studies in Viral Ecology is designed to serve as a means of updating the knowledge of virologists regarding the broader aspects of viral ecology. As with the first edition, this book explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactive dynamics with their hosting species (covering both animals and plants), including the types of transmission cycles that viruses have evolved encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles and vectoring species. Examining virology from an organismal biology approach and focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecologies of the involved species, Viral Ecology is essential for students and professionals who either may be non-virologists or virologists whose previous familiarity has been very specialized. Now in its second edition, Studies in Viral Ecology explores the intricate interactions between viruses and other organisms from a “virocentric” perspective. Divided into five sections, the book opens with a thorough introduction to the ecology of all viruses, followed by detailed examinations that individually consider the viruses of other microorganisms, viruses of vascular plants, and viruses of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. The chapters have been written by leading scientists in their respective research fields and cover topics such as the evolution of fungal viruses, viruses affecting insects, viruses of terrestrial and marine mammals, and the relationship between humans, their viruses, and prions. Studies in Viral Ecology, Second Edition remains required reading for virologists and virology instructors and students who study the interactions between virus and host at the individual species and higher taxonomic levels.