Studies in Viral Ecology

This second edition of Studies in Viral Ecology is designed to serve as a means of updating the knowledge of virologists regarding the broader aspects of viral ecology. As with the first edition, this book explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactive dynamics with their hosting species (covering both animals and plants), including the types of transmission cycles that viruses have evolved encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles and vectoring species. Examining virology from an organismal biology approach and focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecologies of the involved species, Viral Ecology is essential for students and professionals who either may be non-virologists or virologists whose previous familiarity has been very specialized.This second edition of Studies in Viral Ecology is designed to serve as a means of updating the knowledge of virologists regarding the broader aspects of viral ecology. As with the first edition, this book explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactive dynamics with their hosting species (covering both animals and plants), including the types of transmission cycles that viruses have evolved encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles and vectoring species. Examining virology from an organismal biology approach and focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecologies of the involved species, Viral Ecology is essential for students and professionals who either may be non-virologists or virologists whose previous familiarity has been very specialized. Now in its second edition, Studies in Viral Ecology explores the intricate interactions between viruses and other organisms from a “virocentric” perspective. Divided into five sections, the book opens with a thorough introduction to the ecology of all viruses, followed by detailed examinations that individually consider the viruses of other microorganisms, viruses of vascular plants, and viruses of vertebrate and invertebrate animals. The chapters have been written by leading scientists in their respective research fields and cover topics such as the evolution of fungal viruses, viruses affecting insects, viruses of terrestrial and marine mammals, and the relationship between humans, their viruses, and prions. Studies in Viral Ecology, Second Edition remains required reading for virologists and virology instructors and students who study the interactions between virus and host at the individual species and higher taxonomic levels.