Parasite Rex: Inside the Bizarre World of Nature's Most Dangerous Creatures

"Whence, thinkest thou, kings and parasites arose?" (Percy Bysshe Shelley, "Queen Mab")."Parasite Rex" is an interesting look at the evolution and biology of parasites--but only for the strong of stomach.In a sense it was comforting to read that we are not the most savage, efficient predators on Earth. Witness the parasite Sacculina that turns crabs into zombies--the slug-like female enters the crab through a convenient leg joint and gradually fills its whole body cavity, even wrapping roots around its host's eyestalks. The crab continues its shadow-crab life, sidling through the surf, eating mussels and clams. However, it stops moulting and growing as these activities would funnel energy away from Sacculina. If the parasite becomes pregnant, it doesn't matter whether the crab started out as male or female--it will brood and hatch the next generation of Sacculina as if the tiny larvae were its own children.Sacculina's life-style is rather hard on the crab, but it is only one of the amazingly efficient (and bizarre) parasites described in this book. Other parasites have adopted Sacculina's method of eliminating their host's unnecessary functions such as reproduction (unnecessary to the parasite, that is) while leaving the host enough brain, nervous system, and digestive tract to go on feeding.I imagine if there were a Sacculina-type parasite for humans, we would soon lose our urge to play football or go swimming. We would lie in front of the TV all day long, stuffing ourselves with---wait a minute, here! Is it possible...?Zimmer also describes the stratagems that potential hosts have evolved to eliminate, or at least confuse the parasites that view them as mobile homes with well-stocked refrigerators:"Consider the leaf-rolling caterpillars. They're pretty ordinary insect larvae with one exception: they fire their droppings like howitzers...What on Earth could have driven the evolution of an anal cannon? Parasites could. When parasitic wasps home in on a larva such as the leaf-roller caterpillar, one of the best clues is the odor of their host's droppings...The intense pressure put on leaf-roller caterpillars by [parasitic] wasps has pushed the evolution of high-pressure fecal firing. By getting their droppings away from them, the caterpillars have a better chance of not being found by wasps."Even plants have evolved defenses against parasites, usually by creating poisonous chemicals that the parasite ingests as it chomps on the plant. Some plants will even emit a scent that attracts predator wasps to the caterpillar that is munching on their leaves (so much for high-pressure fecal cannons).Be sure to read Chapters seven and eight: "The Two-Legged Host; and "How to Live in a Parasitic World," and ponder the statement, "A parasite that has no self-regulation is going to put itself out of existence and may take its host with it."Could we humans be considered parasitic to Earth, itself?"Parasite Rex" has detailed footnotes, a "Further Reading and Selected Bibliography" section, and an index for those readers who would like to pursue this fascinating subject. Carl Zimmer has also written, "At Water's Edge" and is a frequent contributor to "Discover," "National Geographic," "Natural History," "Nature," and "Science."

Parasitology is a subject that makes the average person blanch. When I was at the University of Florida many years ago I would sometimes get into a discussion of the more gruesome aspects with another person who was interested in the biology of parasites. In the process we could easily totally gross out any others listening. Still, as Carl Zimmer points out in "Parasite Rex" parasites are the norm, not the exception and that should be a major reason to read about them.Zimmer is an excellent writer on popular biological science and this book shows his talent well. In nearly 250 pages of text he describes the fascinating and often disturbing world of parasites, from blood flukes in humans to crustaceans that eat fish tongues and then act as a replacement. Wherever you look there are parasitic worms, arthropods, and even birds. Blood-sucking, organ-destroying and skin-eating creatures exist in amazing variety and in some areas cause untold misery. The average person maintains a host of relatively benign creatures, some of which can become problems under the right circumstances. In addition, a person can easily pick up some much nastier critters (such as malarial parasites) while traveling, or even in one's own back yard, where parasitic worms and protozoans may be lurking. Hookworm used to be a major problem in some parts of the American South and filariasis was even briefly a problem in Charleston, South Carolina (a nasty result of the slave trade). These days modern airplanes can transport parasites in or on their hosts quite far from their place of origin and in a very short time.That we have a morbid fascination for such creatures is well shown by various science fiction movies and TV shows where the "Alien" and fungal pathogens become objects of terror. We should also be fascinated by the often bizarre lives and shapes of real parasites and parasitoids (those that normally kill their hosts) on the planet that we share with themNot for the squeamish, this book should still be read by anyone who wants to be knowledgeable about the subject. You never know, it could help the reader avoid a nasty problem, while serving as a really good read at the same time!

When I was a Campfire Girl my troop went on a tour of a local hospital. During the tour, someone showed us a tapeworm preserved in a jar. That was over 30 years ago, but parasites have interested me ever since. Until I read this book, however, I had no idea just how fascinating they are.In this book, Zimmer introduces us to the amazing array of parasites that exist on this planet. He discusses the history of parasitology, and convinces the reader that these creatures' importance has long been overlooked. In fact, he makes a convincing case that parasites may be responsible for a lot of complex animal behaviors, including perhaps sexual reproduction. So I guess next time you're feeling romantic, you have parasites to thank!This book explores the many clever ways that parasites have evolved to exist within environments that are usually very specialized and often very hostile. Some use mind control. Some undertake amazingly complex journeys.Zimmer imparts a lot of information in this book, and it is often fairly scientifically sophisticated. However, this book is still readily accessible (and fascinating) for those without a background in biology. This book has changed how I view the natural world, and I have recommended it to several friends.