This text investigates how infectious disease acts as a primary ecological driver in the evolution of primate social structures and mating behaviors. The authors, Sonia M. Altizer and Charles Nunn, synthesize current research in disease ecology and primatology to argue that pathogens are not merely incidental stressors but fundamental agents of evolutionary change. By examining the intersection of host behavior and parasite transmission, the book provides a framework for understanding how disease pressure shapes the complex life histories of primates, including humans.

Experts recognize this volume as a foundational text for researchers interested in the intersection of behavioral ecology and epidemiology. Readers frequently note the academic density of the prose, which serves as a rigorous resource for graduate-level study in primatology.