Abstract

This volume describing the tapeworms of the world, with data brought together from some 3,000 references, is an outstanding contribution to the literature of parasitology. There are excellent sections on general morphology, life cycles, biology, origin and evolution, and history and classification of tapeworms. The taxonomic presentation is unusually well organized and illustrated, and keys for the identification of all known genera of the world and species of North America are included. The history of each group and what the author terms “recognition features” give one a most useful orientation. The illustrations in this book are excellent and they are especially designed to aid not only the taxonomist but the biologist interested in life cycles. Schematic diagrams are used to emphasize salient characteristics used in identification and classification.

This book fills the basic need that helminthologists and parasitologists have long recognised. Its scope and breadth make it of great value for the zoologist and ecologist. Teachers, research workers and graduate students will all find this book most useful.