Infection, Polymorphism and Evolution [Paperback]

Resulting from a Royal Society discussion meeting, this volume presents a short review of the topic of parasite-host co-evolution. Current thinking on evolution in parasites, viruses and other pathogens is discussed.Resulting from a Royal Society discussion meeting, this volume presents a short review of the topic of parasite-host co-evolution. Current thinking on evolution in parasites, viruses and other pathogens is discussed.Parasites, clonal diversity and sexual reproduction. Models of plant-pathogen co-evolution. The evolutionary advantage of sex: evidence from a perennial grass. Costly resistances sometimes lead to cheap signals in parasite-driven sexual selection. Variability and transmission in social insect-parasite systems. Immunology, sexual selection and behaviour. Genetic variability and the evolution of virulence among retroviruses. Gene-for-gene recognition in plant-pathogen interaction. MHC polymorphism, parasites and speciation. Natural selection at the MHC loci of vertebrates. MHC-based mating preferences, inbreeding, auto-immunity and infectious disease. Human leukocyte antigens and natural selection by malaria.This book stands as an excellent guide to current theory on host-parasite co-evolution and as such may serve as a 'ready-made' framework for an advanced undergraduate or graduate seminar in this topic. - Parasitology TodaySpringer Book Archives