Physiology and Ecology of Animal Parasites and Related Diseases

Dear Colleagues,

Parasitism represents one of the most successful lifestyles displayed by living organisms, as evidenced by the considerable number of parasitic species known. Estimations suggests that parasites represent over 50% of all living species and constitute a significant proportion of global biodiversity. They play an important role in the evolution of life on Earth on the individual, population, and ecosystem levels. They can affect the immunity of hosts and the dynamics of their populations, alter the composition of communities, and modify trophic interactions. Additionally, parasites, through the spread of diseases, can impact the physiology and ecology of their hosts, subsequently affecting their performance. Parasites can affect individual biological processes and attributes, including activity, reproduction, dispersal, and behaviour. The diseases transmitted can have complex effects, both direct and indirect, with long-term persistent implications. Current global change is affecting the biology of parasites, and the ecological consequences of these processes on their physiology are of great interest. This Special Issue will present an overview of current research on animal parasites, incorporating insights within evolutionary, medical, veterinary, physiological, and ecological frameworks. This article compilation will focus on the factors, parameters, and processes involved in the ecophysiology of parasites and related diseases, ranging from microorganisms to a diverse range of animals, including helminths, mites, and insects. Furthermore, we encourage the incorporation of research into the impacts of global warming on the eco-epidemiological parameters of parasites, given the profound implications for certain host taxa. It is also crucial to investigate the underlying causes of parasite transmission in the context of climate-driven changes in a changing environment, in order to understanding the evolution of diseases caused by parasites in a multitude of animal taxa. Possible primary research areas for contributions include the following:

• Global change and parasite transmission;
• Host physiology and climate-driven changes in diseases;
• Animal behaviour and parasite ecology;
• Host–parasite ecophysiology;
• Thermal effects on parasite physiology and infection success;
• Parasite-induced alterations to host behaviour;
• Host–parasitoid interactions in a changing environment;
• Parasitic and infectious disease responses in a changing environment;
• Ecophysiology of parasites, disease levels, and implications for host conservation;
• Records of host–parasite relationships in new regions of the world.

Prof. Dr. Marcela K. Castelo
Guest Editor

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• parasites
• parasitoids
• physiology
• ecology
• ecophysiology
• diseases
• global change