Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach / Edition 1

by Eric S. Loker

Overview

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.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	2900815344734
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	03/02/2015
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	576
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 1.25(h) x 9.00(d)

About the Author

Eric S. Loker is Distinguished Professor of Biology, Curator of the Division of Parasites of the Museum of the Southwestern Biology, and Director of the COBRE Center for Evolutionary and Theoretical Immunology at the University of New Mexico where he has taught parasitology and related courses for many years. His research interests focus on the biology of schistosomes.

Bruce V. Hofkin received his PhD from the University of New Mexico where he is currently a faculty member in the Department of Biology. His primary research interest is the epidemiology and control of vector-borne and snail-borne diseases.

Table of Contents

1. An Introduction to Parasitism. 2. An Overview of Parasite Diversity. 3. The Parasite’s Way of Life. 4. Host Defense and Parasite Evasion. 5. Parasite vs. Host: Pathology and Disease. 6. The Ecology of Parasitism. 7. The Evolutionary Biology of Parasitism. 8. Parasites and Conservation Biology. 9. The Challenge of Parasite Control. 10. The Future of Parasitology. The Rogues' Gallery: Protozoa; Platyhelminths; Nematodes; Arthropods

Editorial Reviews

I shall recommend this book for anyone dealing with any aspect of parasitology. It is a rich source of updated information on emerging issues in parasitology, including parasite-host interactions, parasite ecology and evolution. I will certainly put my hardcopy in my bookshelf "must have books on parasitology." - Parasites and Vectors, 2015

Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach is a new textbook focusing on the concepts and principles of parasitology for upper-level undergraduate and graduate students as well as instructors and professors in universities. Every chapter deals with the most recent knowledge regarding each relevant topic and highlights the modern concepts of parasite biology and evolutionary ecology. Different types of parasites, hosts, and vectors are well explained....The part entitled "Rogues’ Gallery of Parasites" is also unique. It describes the traditional concept of parasitology with morphology and taxonomy-based approaches. It provides a concise overview of the basic biology of major parasites of medical and/or veterinary importance in a total 48 sections. The figures used in this part are extraordinarily super-excellent....The book provides an excellent resource and will be highly useful and helpful for medical and veterinary medical students, tropical medicine doctors, researchers, laboratory personnel, and professors in parasitology and biology. - Korean Journal of Parasitology, 2015

"For those of you who teach parasitology at undergraduate or postgraduate levels, I would strongly recommend that you integrate this book within your taught curricula. It is excellent value for money and an inspiring treatise for it links several themes in modern biology as tailored within a parasitological framework." -Parasitology

Parasitology: A Conceptual Approach offers a comprehensive introduction to a multifaceted and often ignored field of biology and provides a useful jumping-off point for deeper study. Its broad theme-based structure effectively explicates several subdivisions of parasitology, and its case studies are judiciously chosen and highlight important concepts with salient examples. For those searching for a reference, the last chapter suffices. In sum, Loker and Hofkin's textbook is an excellent read for both undergraduate and graduate students.-Yale Journal of Biology and Medicine

The various parasitological concepts embedded in this text book are presented in a distinct and lucid manner which brings a fresh wave of thoughts in the minds of the readers. This book is a useful resource for the students and researchers involved in any parasitology or related fields. Finally, if you are a parasitology lover, we definitely suggest that this text book deserves to be in your personal library. -Tropical Parasitology

From the Publisher