Functional and Evolutionary Ecology of Fleas

Fleas are one of the most interesting and fascinating taxa of ectoparasites. All species in this relatively small order are obligatory haematophagous (blood-feeding) parasites of higher vertebrates. This 2008 book examines how functional, ecological and evolutionary patterns and processes of host-parasite relationships are realized in this particular system. As such it provides an in-depth case study of a host-parasite system, demonstrating how fleas can be used as a model taxon for testing ecological and evolutionary hypotheses. Functional and Evolutionary Ecology of Fleas moves from basic descriptive aspects, to functional issues and finally to evolutionary explanations. It extracts several general principles that apply equally well to other host-parasite systems, so it appeals not only to flea biologists but also to 'mainstream' parasitologists and ecologists.

Part I. Brief Descriptive Ecology - What Do Fleas Do?
1. Composition of the order
2. Hosts of Siphonaptera
3. Geographic distribution of fleas
4. Origin and evolution of fleas
5. Life cycles
6. Fleas and Humanity

Part II. Functional Ecology - How Do Fleas Do What They Do?
7. Ecology of sexual dimorphism, gender differences, and sex ratio
8. Ecology of flea locomotion
9. Ecology of host selection
10. Ecology of haematophagy
11. Ecology of reproduction and pre-imaginal development
12. Ecology of flea virulence
13. Ecology of host defence

Part III. Evolutionary Ecology: Why Do Fleas Do What They Do?
14. Ecology and evolution of host specificity
15. Ecology of flea populations
16. Ecology of flea communities
17. Patterns of flea diversity
18. Fleas, hosts, habitats
19. What further efforts are needed?

References
Index