Boris R. Krasnov, Cambridge University Press,
New York, 2008, 593 pp., (hardback) $150.00 ($138.09 Amazon.com),
ISBN: 978-0-521-88277-4

This welcome volume is a one of a kind publication, steering away from the traditional empirical approaches to host/parasite relationships used by classical flea systematists. The ecology of the Order Siphonaptera has been grossly neglected from the onset of flea systematics that began in earnest in the early 1900s with the recognition of the flea's role in transmission of human diseases. Relative to the abundant α-taxonomic publications of the past century, there were few works on the ecology and bionomics fleas. Dr. Krasnov has addressed most of the significant ecological and bionomic contributions of others in this book and cleverly assembled and integrated them with his immense personal knowledge of the functional ecology of fleas. Knowledge of the evolutionary and phylogenetic assessments of the order Siphonaptera, based mostly on cladistical methodologies, was accurately reflected at the time of its writing; however, with the emergence of state-of-the-art DNA technologies, a more current and accurate assessment of the classification schemes presented has been published (Whiting et al. 2008).

In addition to its handsome cover design and unique subject matter, this book is succinctly written, easy to read and navigate, and has three major strengths: (1) it is logically organized into three general aspects of the functional and evolutionary ecology of fleas, (2) it has an unsurpassed comprehensive bibliography relevant to this subject, and (3) it has a comprehensive cross-index that enhances its function to the reader.

Three divisions of the book (Parts I-III) are categorized as (1) Brief descriptive ecology: what do fleas do?; (2) Functional ecology: how do fleas do what they do?; and (3) Evolutionary ecology: why do fleas do what they do? Within these major headings are chapters addressing essentially all aspects of hypothetical and applied principles of flea-host interactions. At the end of each chapter, the author concludes by summarizing the most salient points of the previous text. These concluding statements are both informative and thought provoking.

The book has 1,800 references representing a wide diversity of ecological and bionomic concepts within the order Siphonaptera, i.e., the effects of host reproduction on flea fecundity, how host hematological parameters effect flea populations, evolution of host specificity, and many more. The inclusion of applicable references seems thorough and complete. The exhaustive reference section will be invaluable and immensely helpful to biologists, parasitologists, and flea specialists alike. This book is heavily weighted with statistical analyses that show a wide assortment of approaches to many ecological questions. Many of the approaches assembled in this volume will be applicable to scientists researching other organisms and communities, for example, parasitic pupiparous Diptera (Streblidae, Nycteribiidae, and Hippoboscidae), Anoplura, Mallophaga, and Acarines. The applications of research concepts presented in this book that might be less obvious are those applicable to host-parasite relationships between parasites of amphibians, fish, reptiles, and even humans.

A comprehensive index at the end of the book provides an exhaustive list of the many terms, principles, and mammalian and avian flea taxa presented throughout the book. For example, the desert jird, Meriones crassus Sundevall, cross-references 36 pages that pertain to many ecological aspects of this species. Using this species as a case in point, some of the topics referenced under M. crasssus include the effects of (1) host on sex ratios, (2) host selection, (3) fecundity and egg survival, (4) flea numbers on blood intake, (5) flea and host energy requirements, (6) flea feeding on host blood parameters, (7) host grooming behaviors on flea populations, (8) flea feeding on host's immune response, (9) flea loads on host blood constituents, (10) host specificity versus microenvironment, (11) seasonality on preferences for flea sex, (12) vegetation on flea abundance, and (13) host-dependent and host habitat-dependent species. This most valuable and comprehensive index provides easy access to details that illustrate the functional ecological relationships for many host-parasite models presented throughout the volume. Without the detailed index, the information within the book would be far less accessible to the reader.

Dr. Krasnov concludes his text by addressing "What further efforts are needed?" Having amassed all the major works relative to the functional and evolutionary ecology of fleas and their hosts, he identifies the gaps in our knowledge and offers a plethora of new ideas for future research. This book will predictably be a classic summation of our knowledge of the functional and evolutionary ecology of fleas. It is truly, as the title suggests, a "model for ecological parasitology," and is a welcome addition to the book shelves of all professionals and students in the fields of ecology, parasitology, and medical entomology.

Michael W. Hastriter
Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
 Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

 Journal of Medical Entomology
Vol. 46, No. 3, May 2009, Page 716 - 716