6 Best Books on Parasitism

“A Functional Biology of Parasitism: Ecological and evolutionary implications (Topics in Gastroenterology)” Book Review: This book explores the functional biology of parasitism from both ecological and evolutionary perspectives, making it a valuable resource for researchers in the field. Its primary objective is to elucidate how organisms survive and thrive in their natural environments. The book delves into the functional biology of organisms, covering aspects such as resource acquisition, metabolism, movement, growth, and reproduction. These processes serve as the foundational framework for the entire series. Additionally, the book not only describes the workings of organisms but also investigates the reasons behind their specific adaptations. It highlights the significance of functional integration in the daily lives of organisms and their evolutionary development. By viewing organisms as integrated entities interacting with their environment, the book emphasizes the role of natural selection in shaping individual traits and driving evolutionary change.

“Biology and Parasitism of Cabbage Butterfly, Pieris Brassicae” Book Review: This book provides valuable information about a destructive pest called Pieris brassicae (L.), which causes significant damage to plants in hilly regions of India and other parts of the world. It is a useful resource for researchers in this field. The book discusses the harmful pesticides that are commonly used to control these pests, but also highlights the emerging importance of biological control methods. It presents information about natural enemies of crop pests and their role in ecosystems. The book emphasizes the potential of utilizing these natural enemies in biological control programs to target the pests. Additionally, it explores how different host plants affect the biology and behavior of both P. brassicae and its natural enemies.

“Living Together: The Biology of Animal Parasitism” Book Review: This book provides a comprehensive exploration of animal parasitism within the realm of life science. It is a valuable reference for undergraduates and researchers in this field. The book covers essential topics such as the host-parasite interface in both intracellular and extracellular phases, innate resistance, and the immune system of invertebrates, emphasizing their relationships with parasites. With the inclusion of diagrams and illustrations, this book aids in clarifying concepts for students. It also delves into the acquired immunity in nematodes, serving as a useful resource for training purposes. Designed to be accessible, this book caters to college undergraduates and even gifted high school students.

“Biology of Parasitism” Book Review: This book focuses on the Biology of Parasitism, making it an appealing resource for young researchers seeking to address unresolved issues in parasitology and prepare themselves for future independent investigations in the field. It captures the essence of the Biology of Parasitism Course, incorporating lectures on molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, and immunology. With its comprehensive coverage, this book is also suitable for laboratory use. Each chapter begins with a concise summary, facilitating a quick overview of the content. Furthermore, the inclusion of illustrations and diagrams for each topic assists students in easily grasping the concepts presented.

“Producers and Scroungers: Strategies of Exploitation and Parasitism” Book Review: This book explores both intra- and interspecific “producer/scrounger” (P/S) relationships. It is a valuable resource for researchers and undergraduate students interested in this field. The book examines the behavioral and physiological investments made by producers to minimize the costs of obtaining limited resources, such as food. It also discusses how certain parasites establish permanent residence within or on a host, utilizing the host’s ingestive, digestive, or circulatory processes to reduce their own feeding costs. Additionally, the book delves into factors influencing the utility of scrounging, including the availability of producers, the number of scroungers exploiting them, the costs associated with scrounging in terms of producer avoidance, defense, and retaliation, the value of the limited resource, and the potential for alternative strategies of resource exploitation.