PII: S0169-4758(00)01674-4

Abstract

University of British Columbia Press, 1999. $39.95ISBN 1 8968 8622 1The Japanese designate icons ‘living treasures’, men and women who are ‘holders of important intangible [cultural] properties’. Among aquatic parasitologist icons, we might list Carl Sindermann, Jiri Lom and Glenn Hoffman. This CD features another – Bob Kabata – and this alone makes the CD valuable. Tim Goater interviews Kabata about his life, the evolution of bizarre copepods, career opportunities in marine parasitology and his current work.The main part of the CD is very much a personal presentation by Goater of parasitic Crustacea in the Northwest, beginning with an introductory video of Goater. The viewer can then move in one of three directions: to ‘parasitism’ (a short text section); to a review of the arthropods in general; or directly to the parasitic Crustacea.Crustacea are special in parasitology because they illustrate better than most other groups the morphological, physiological and developmental changes associated with the adoption of a parasitic life-style, and are fertile ground for studies such as co-evolution of hosts and parasites. Complex host–parasite interactions are evident in changes induced by parasitic Crustacea, which range from tumour formation (Leposphylus) and growth enhancement (Cardiodectes, Lernaeocera) to sterilization (Anilocra) and possible feminization (Sacculina). Sex determination may be genetic or environmental as in the pheromonal control of sex in some Epicaridea and in Cymothoidae. And of course, at least one parasitic crustacean, Lepeophtheirus salmonis, is of major economic importance. All these themes are touched upon in this CD, but essentially the presentation is in the ‘gee whizz’ category and is none the poorer for that. After all, it is the appreciation of these ‘astonishing’, ‘incredible’, ‘awesome’ organisms as amazing creatures that attracted many researchers to them in the first place.Technically, the presentation is quite professional. There are few typos and it is relatively easy to navigate between the different sections and species, though the ‘back’ button returns only one screen, making it difficult to review all the information on one parasite. The ‘enlarge’ button sometimes results in an image that loses definition in proportion to the degree of enlargement (on my screen anyway). Most screens are cluttered by frame outlines and menus, thus reducing usable space and restricting viewable text. User-friendly screen design, however, may be a function of the amount of technical expertise available – the clear, easy-to-navigate, deceptively simple CD of Alday de Graindorge & Flegel1xDiagnosis of Shrimp Diseases. Alday de Graindorge, V. and Flegel, T.W. See all References had the technical assistance of ten multimedia professionals compared to Goater’s three.What are the advantages of this CD over a book? It provides videos of living parasites (and parasitologists), it is far more interactive and hence absorbing, especially the quiz, and it provides sound. Sound brings the cameos of trawling and gill dissections to life and, in addition, Goater provided pronunciations of species and parts, thus making it easier to communicate at international meetings. The CD also provides active links to other sites.More polished CDs may be made about parasitic Crustacea but I doubt that they will be as approachable as this (and they will lack Bob Kabata). I congratulate Tim Goater on producing this CD, which will be a great addition to any undergraduate library.