The Biology and Evolution of Trematodes: An Essay on the Biology, Morphology, Life Cycles, Transmissions, and Evolution of Digenetic Trematodes

ISBN-13: 9789048164301 / Angielski / Miękka / 2010 / 592 str.

K. Galaktionov; A. Dobrovolskij

Opis

The trematodes are parasitic flatworms of great medical and veterinary importance. An understanding of the evolution of trematodes depends on an interpretation of their complex and diverse life cycles. It is the life cycles in general and the stages that comprise these cycles that are the focus of the detailed analysis presented herein. The book contains a broad scope of modern information on digenetic trematodes, from descriptions of their morphology and development to their behaviour and the structure of their populational groups. The book provides information on all characteristics of trematode organization and biology from an evolutionary standpoint. Possible scenarios of early stages of life cycle formation are discussed as well as a consideration of further evolution in different taxa and ecological groups of trematodes. An original approach to the elaboration of a natural system of these parasites is proposed.

Spis treści

Preface. Introduction. Acknowledgements.

1: Organization of parthenogenetic and hermaphroditic generations of trematodes. 1. Parthenogenetic generations and their larvae. 2. The hermaphroditic generation.

2: The trematode life cycle as a system of adaptations. 1. Adaptations of the first parthenogenetic generation. 2. Adaptations of daughter generations of parthenitae. 3. Hermaphroditic generation.

3: The main types of trematode life cycles. 1. Trixenous (three-host) life cycles. 2. Trixenous (three-host) life cycles with two endogenous ag-glomerations. 3. Dixenous (two-host) life cycles. 4. Homoxenous (one-host) life cycles. 5. Tetraxenous (four-host) life cycles.

4: Specific traits of populations formed by trematodes. 1. On the nature of trematode populations. 2. Host-parasite interactions and their manifestation on popula-tional level. 3. Phase analysis of trematode populations. 4. General notes.

5: The main trends in trematode evolution. 1. The main trends of morphological evolution of trematodes. 2. Ways of biological radiation of trematodes into different ecosystems.

6: Evolution of life cycles and phylogeny of trematodes. 1. Origin and evolution of trematode life cycles. 2. The main trends in evolution of trematode life cycles. 3. Possible approaches to establishing a natural classification of trematodes.

References. Index.