Evolution of Parasites

Abstract

This is a series of four papers delivered in November 1964 before the British Society for Parasitology. The first is by J. R. Baker on the evolution of parasitic protozoa (in which, of necessity, a considerable amount of attention is paid to those affecting man). The second deals with the evolution of parasite-arthropod vector systems and is by P. F. Mattingly, who is concerned essentially with arthropods as vectors. The third is by J. Llewellyn who discusses the evolution of parasitic platyhelminths while the final author, W. G. Inglis, considers the pattern of evolution in parasitic nematodes. All four papers show a wide acquaintanceship with the literature on a highly imaginative and speculative subject and provide most stimulating reading, although it is doubtful if any parasitologist will agree completely with everything that has been said in them. We are still far from reaching a final word on what is an enormously complex subject.