"This book looks at the weird and wonderful world of parasites, the most abundant form of life on Earth. Parasites come in all forms and sizes and inhabit every free-living organism. Parasitism is now, and always has been, a way to survive under changing environmental conditions. From arctic oceans to tropical forests, Scott Gardner, Judy Diamond, and Gabor Racz investigate how parasites survive and evolve, and how they influence and provide stability to ecosystems." --provided by publisher.

Scott L. Gardner is curator of parasites in the H. W. Manter Laboratory of Parasitology at the University of Nebraska State Museum and professor of biological sciences at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Judy Diamond is professor and curator at the University of Nebraska State Museum and professor of libraries at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her books include Kea, Bird of Paradox; Concealing Coloration in Animals; and Thinking Like a Parrot. Gabor Racz is a parasitologist and collection manager in the H. W. Manter Laboratory at the University of Nebraska State Museum. Brenda Lee is a graphic artist with degrees in graphic design from the University of Nebraska and illustration design from One Academy in Penang, Malaysia.