Wildlife disease ecology

Published by the British Ecological Society and Cambridge University Press, Wildlife Disease Ecology: Linking Theory to Data and Application brings together experts from around the world to explore fundamental questions about the ecology and evolution of infectious diseases in wildlife.

Each chapter focuses on one host and disease, and explains how that system has aided our general understanding of the evolution and spread of wildlife diseases. Case studies cover a broad range of host taxa, including plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, as well as being from an array of geographical regions, including Europe, Africa, Asia, Australasia and the Americas.

The book is edited by Kenneth Wilson (Lancaster University), Andy Fenton (University of Liverpool) and Dan Thompkins (Predator Free 2050 Ltd). Dr Ken Wilson said: “With new wildlife diseases emerging all the time, it is more important than ever to understand the causes, consequences and management of wildlife diseases.”

With new wildlife diseases emerging all the time, it is more important than ever to understand the causes, consequences and management of wildlife diseases.

Questions addressed include: How do hosts and parasites co-evolve? What determines how fast a disease spreads through a population? How do co-infecting parasites interact? Why do hosts vary in parasite burden? Which factors determine parasite virulence and host resistance? How do parasites influence the spread of invasive species? How do we control infectious diseases in wildlife?

This book will provide a valuable introduction to students new to the topic, and novel insights to researchers, professionals and policy makers working in the field. Read more about the book on the Journal of Animal Ecology blog.

Wildlife Disease Ecology: linking theory to data and application edited by Kenneth Wilson (Lancaster University), Andy Fenton (University of Liverpool), Dan Tompkins (Predator Free 2050 Ltd) is published 14 November 2019. The book is part of the British Ecological Society’s Ecological Reviews series published with Cambridge University Press, which aims to be a source of ideas and inspiration for ecologists at all career levels. Wildlife Disease Ecology is available for purchase here (£44.99, ISBN 9781316501900). BES members get 25% off all Ecological Reviews titles.

If you are attending our Annual Meeting in Belfast, you can meet the Editors and get a signed copy of the book at the Cambridge University Press exhibition stand, Thursday 12 December, 5pm.