The Lymnaeidae [electronic resource] : A Handbook on Their Natural History and Parasitological Significance / edited by Maxim V. Vinarski, Antonio A. Vázquez.

Chapter 1. A Brief History of the Lymnaeid Research -- Chapter 2. General Characteristics of the Family Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 3. Phylogeny and Taxonomy of the Family Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 4. Conchological and Anatomical Identification of the Lymnaeid Snails -- Chapter 5. Molecular Techniques for the Study of Ecological and Evolutionary Processes in Lymnaeids -- Chapter 6. The Fossil Record of the Lymnaeidae - Revisiting a 200-myr-Long Story of Success -- Chapter 7. Biogeography of the Living Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 8. Patterns and Processes of Speciation in Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 9. Ecology of Lymnaeid Snails -- Chapter 10. Reproductive Strategies, Genetic Diversity, and Invasive Ability in Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 11. Biology of the Lymnaeidae-Parasite Interaction -- Chapter 12. Overview of Interactions Between Parasitic Digenea and Their Molluscan Hosts, with Special Emphasis on the Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 13. Lymnaeid Snails and the Transmission of Fasciolosis: Understanding the Differential Risks from Local to Global Scale -- Chapter 14. Laboratory Cultures of Lymnaeidae for Parasitological Experiments -- Chapter 15. Control of Fasciolosis-Transmitting Lymnaeids in the Field -- Chapter 16. Conservation of the Lymnaeidae -- Chapter 17. Perspectives: An Integrated Approach on Future Studies of the Lymnaeidae.

The Lymnaeidae (also known as 'pond snails') are a species-rich and globally distributed family of freshwater snails, many species of which are known to be hosts of parasitic trematodes (such as the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica). Written by world-leading experts in the field, this book covers a wealth of topics ranging from the phylogeny and taxonomy of lymnaeid snails to their relationships with helminths and their impact on public and veterinary health. It provides an overview of the species richness, evolution, ecology, biogeography and fossil record of the family. A considerable number of chapters are devoted to the economic and medical importance of lymnaeids, their involvement in the transmission of fascioliasis and other zoonotic diseases. Special chapters deal with the molecular and morphological identification of the Lymnaeidae, their rearing in the laboratory and experimental approaches to their study. This contributed volume is aimed at experts and practitioners in various disciplines: Invertebrate zoology, evolutionary biology, biogeography, aquatic ecology, parasitology, epidemiology and public health. It is also useful for university lecturers, undergraduate and postgraduate students.