Animal Behavior and Parasitism
Author Description
Parasites, Ranging From Microscopic Viruses And Bacteria To Macroscopic Worms And Arthropods, Are A Fundamental Part Of Life For All Animals. Parasites Affect Almost All Aspects Of Their Host's Behavior, And Conversely, Host Behavior Affects Parasites In Countless Ways. This Book Examines The Many Ways In Which Animal Behavior And Parasitism Are Interlinked, Emphasizing The Critical Role Of Bi-directional Feedbacks Between The Two Phenomena. Chapters Explore Five Central Themes (social Behavior, Movement Behavior, Sexual Selection And Mating Behavior, Parasite Modification Of Host Behavior, And Behavioral Defenses Against Parasites) By Synthesizing Current Knowledge And Proposing New Research Directions For The Future. The Book Delivers Essential Background And Cutting-edge Ideas In The Study Of Animal Behavior And Parasitism That Will Resonate With Students New To The Field And More Seasoned Researchers Alike-- Provided By Publisher.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This book investigates the complex, bi-directional feedback loops between animal behavior and parasitic infection. The authors, Sonia M. Altizer, Vanessa Olivia Ezenwa, and Richard J. Hall, synthesize ecological and behavioral data to demonstrate how parasites influence host actions and how those same behaviors dictate parasite transmission and evolution. By framing these interactions as a dynamic system, the text provides a comprehensive overview of how behavioral ecology and parasitology intersect in natural environments.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- Analysis of social behavior and its impact on parasite transmission dynamics.
- Examination of movement patterns and their role in host-parasite encounters.
- Discussion of sexual selection and mating behaviors as mechanisms for parasite avoidance or exposure.
- Review of behavioral defenses, such as self-medication and grooming, against parasitic threats.
- Theoretical frameworks for future research in behavioral parasitology.
Scope Limits
- The text focuses primarily on ecological and evolutionary perspectives rather than clinical or veterinary treatment protocols.
- It does not provide an exhaustive catalog of every known parasite-host relationship but rather focuses on thematic behavioral interactions.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Experts recognize this work as a foundational synthesis for students and researchers interested in the intersection of behavioral ecology and disease dynamics. Readers frequently note that the prose maintains a high level of academic rigor while remaining accessible to those entering the field of parasitology.
Page Count:
0
Publication Date:
2022-01-01
Publisher:
New York, NY : Oxford University Press,
ISBN-10:
0191915017
ISBN-13:
9780191915017
Science
Biology
Parasitology
Ecology
Host-parasite relationships
Zoology
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