Parasites are masterful works of evolutionary art. The tiny mite Hisliostomalaboratorium a parasite of Drosophila launches itself in an incredibledisplay of evo... » 

Parasites are masterful works of evolutionary art. The tiny mite Hisliostomalaboratorium a parasite of Drosophila launches itself in an incredibledisplay of evolutionary engineering like a surfacetoair missile at a fruitfly far above its head. Gravid mussels such as Lampsilis ventricosa undulateexcitedly as they release their parasitic larval offspring conning greedypredators in search of a tasty meal into hosting the parasite. The Art of Beinga Parasite is an extensive collection of these and other wonderful and weirdstories that illuminate the ecology and evolution of interactions betweenspecies. Claude Combes illustrates what it means to be a parasite byconsidering every stage of its interactions from invading and reproducing toleaving the host. An accessible and engaging followup to Combess ParasitismThe Ecology and Evolution of Intimate Interactions this book will be ofinterest to both scholars and nonspecialists in the fields of biodiversitynatural history ecology public health and evolution. «