A rapidly growing interdisciplinary field, disease ecology merges key ideas from ecology, medicine, genetics, immunology, and epidemiology to study how hosts and pathogens interact in populations, communities, and entire ecosystems. Bringing together contributions from leading international experts on the ecology of diseases among invertebrate species, this book provides a comprehensive assessment of the current state of the field. Beginning with an introductory overview of general principles and methodologies, the book continues with in-depth discussions of a range of critical issues concerning invertebrate disease epidemiology, molecular biology, vectors, and pathogens. Topics covered in detail include: Methods for studying the ecology of invertebrate diseases and pathogens Invertebrate pathogen ecology and the ecology of pathogen groups Applied ecology of invertebrate pathogens Leveraging the ecology of invertebrate pathogens in microbial control Prevention and management of infectious diseases of aquatic invertebrates Ecology of Invertebrate Diseases is a necessary and long overdue addition to the world literature on this vitally important subject. This volume belongs on the reference shelves of all those involved in the environmental sciences, genetics, microbiology, marine biology, immunology, epidemiology, fisheries and wildlife science, and related disciplines.

It can be seen that the insects are the still attracting most research and researchers. However, an increasing interest is emerging to study new invertebrate groups, especially those where the genome is known. Even though Drosophila has been and still is an excellent model for immune studies, it is now clear that there are great differences between immune responses in Drosophila and that of several other invertebrates, which indeed calls for more research on other invertebrates

E. L. Cooper In Volume 23 we considered, in seven chapters, the basic armamentarium of the invertebrate immune system and its cells, as well as an analysis of antigens, setting the stage for the initiation of an immune response. We studied cell products, natural or induced, as revealed by nonspecific and specific responses following antigenic challenge such as the pro phenol oxidase system, the lytic responses, the Ig superfamily, and the place this family offers invertebrates and insect hemolymph proteins as candidates for membership. At this point, these various topics seemed to converge, almost to overlap, in some instances, presenting a challenge as to how to move from one subject to another. Chapter 1, in this volume offers the bridge to Volume 23 and its final Chapter 7. This Volume 24 contains contributions pertaining to cell activities and the environment. Chapters 1-4 refer specifically to interactions between cells and the integration of cell activities. The focus is on a functional immune system, with antigenic challenge as a subtopic. In Chapters 5-7, the environment is considered from several points of view and the main subtopic here is the result of the consequences of connections and missed signals. The internal and external environments are treated, revealing what may happen when normal immune responses are interfered with. All this is integrated by the consideration of the three great regulatory systems, the ever-present network that somehow acts as the monitor or control for all incoming and outgoing signals.

Many invertebrates are serious pests of agriculture (e.g., mites and locusts), vectors of disease (e.g., mosquitoes and aquatic snails) and venomous (e.g., scorpions), whilst others are beneficial to humans as pollinators, food sources, and detritivores. Despite their obvious ecological, medical, and economic importance, this is the first comprehensive review of invertebrate diseases to be available within a single volume. Concurrent molecular and bioinformatics developments over the last decade have catalysed a renaissance in invertebrate pathology. High-throughput sequencing, handheld diagnostic kits, and the move to new technologies have rapidly increased our understanding of invertebrate diseases, generating a large volume of fundamental and applied research on the topic. An overview is now timely and this authoritative work assembles an international team of the leading specialists in the field to review the main diseases and pathologic manifestations of all the major invertebrate groups. Each chapter adopts a common plan in terms of its scope and approach to achieve a succinct and coherent synthesis. Invertebrate Pathology is aimed at graduate students and researchers in the fields of disease ecology, invertebrate biology, comparative immunology, aquaculture, fisheries, veterinary science, evolution, and conservation. It will be particularly useful for readers new to the field as well as a broader interdisciplinary audience of practitioners and resource managers.

Fish Diseases: Prevention and Control Strategies provides essential information on disease prevention and treatment by the most experienced fish culturists in the industry. The book presents both traditional and novel methodologies of identifying and addressing fish disease risk, along with preventative and responsive insights to the challenges impacting fish production today. Both specific (vaccination) and non-specific (immunostimulation) approaches are explored, from maintaining optimal environmental conditions, to understanding how stressors in fish affect their immune system. - Includes relevant information on government restrictions on drug usage in aquaculture to address the strict demand for fish products free of pollutants/antibiotics - Presents best practices in fish farming to prevent disease and promote good health status and fish disease management - Provides the most recent research on fish diseases prevention, the pathogens most studied, and options for methods of treatment