Biology of the Acanthocephala

This volume was first published in 1985. A knowledge of this phylum of parasitic worms is instructive for all research workers investigating the principles of parasitism.

D. W. T. Crompton (Edited by), Brent B. Nickol (Edited by)

9780521105118, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 19 March 2009

532 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 3 cm, 0.77 kg

This volume was first published in 1985. A knowledge of this phylum of parasitic worms is essential for helminthologists and instructive for all research workers investigating the principles of parasitism. Each of the chapters is written by a specialist on the biology of the Acanthocephala. Systematics, functional morphology, feeding, nutrition, metabolism, reproduction, embryology, development, epizootiology, life-history patterns and population ecology are reviewed and analysed in detail; problems for further investigation are identified. Special features of the book include a taxonomic revision and list of valid species, anatomical illustrations and extensive tables covering morphological terms, host-parasite associations, life-history parameters and reproductive biology. The three indices (parasite, author and subject) and the comprehensive list of over a thousand references help the reader to use this major source of reference on a fascinating group of parasites.

1. Introduction Brent B. Nickol
2. Anton Meyer D. W. T. Crompton
3. Harley Jones Van Cleave: 40 years with the Acanthocephala Wilbur L. Bullock
4. Classification Omar M. Amin
5. Functional morphology Donald M. Miller and T. T. Dunagan
6. Feeding, nutrition and metabolism Jane A. Starling
7. Reproduction D. W. T. Crompton
8. Development and life cycles Gerald D. Schmidt
9. Epizootiology Brent B. Nickol
10. Life history models A. P. Dobson and A. E. Keymer
11. Regulation and dynamics of acanthocephalan populations C. R. Kennedy.

Subject Areas: Zoology & animal sciences [PSV]