Echinostomes are medically- and veterinary-important parasitic flatworms that invade humans, domestic animals and wildlife and also parasitize in their larval stages numerous invertebrate and cold-blooded vertebrate hosts. The interest in echinostomes in parasitology and general biology comes from several areas: (1) Human infections; (2) Experimental models; (3) Animal infections; (4) Systematics.

The application of novel techniques is moving the echinostomes to the frontline of parasitology in fields such as systematics, immunobiology in vertebrate and invertebrate organisms and proteomics among others. The Biology of Echinostomes demonstrates the application of new techniques to a group of trematodes that may serve to obtain information of great value in parasitology and general biology. The book includes basic topics, such as biology and systematics, as well as more novel topics, such as immunobiology, proteomics, and genomics of echinostomes. The authors of each chapter emphasize their content with: (i) the most novel information obtained; (ii) analysis of this information in a more general context (i.e. general parasitology); and (iii) future perspectives in view of the information presented. The subjects are analyzed from a modern point of view, considering aspects such as applications of novel techniques and an analysis of host-parasite interactions.

The Biology of Echinostomes presents the echinostomes in the context of modern parasitology and shows applications of new methodologies and concepts to a group of trematodes that may be useful to obtain information of great value in both parasitology and general biology. Several chapters cover the research and literature on such echinostome-like trematodes as Ribeiroia spp. Emphasis is placed on recent advances and gaps in knowledge that must be filled to determine the importance of this group of digeneans as experimental models. This is critical to gain a full understanding of the potential role of echinostomes in the field of experimental parasitology. All chapters are covered from a modern point of view, considering matters such as the applications of novel techniques and analysis of data in the context of host-parasite interactions. The Biology of Echinostomes is an ideal volume for researchers and advanced students concentrating on echinostomes as experimental models.

From the reviews: "This multi-authored monograph is the second book within the last decade that focuses on 'echinostomes' as experimental models. ? All chapters follow a standard format with helpful subtitles ? . The production quality of the monograph is generally good ? . contains a wealth of information predominantly on Echinostoma spp. and ? represents a valuable resource. The monograph will unquestionably be consulted by the aficionados ? ." (Aneta Kostadinova, Parasites & Vectors, November, 2009)