"This book gives clear explanations of how parasite biodiversity provides insight into the history and biogeography of other organisms, the structure of ecosystems, and the processes that lead to the diversification of life." "Never before have parasites been examined so carefully with respect to biodiversity and conservation. The authors go beyond merely describing the incredible diversity of parasites - there may be more species of parasites than of insects - and explain their importance to our understanding of epidemiology, biogeography, and host-parasite evolution. Parasite Biodiversity offers an exceptionally readable synthesis of the growing literature on this subject and makes a compelling case for parasite conservation of particular species." "This book will be great interest to conservation biologists, parasitologist (ecological and medical), evolutionary ecologists, and academic librarians."--Jacket.