Parasitology

Course unit

title

Scientific direction

Scientific code

Faculty

Department (s)

Parasitology

Zoology N014

Natural Research Centre

Institute of Ecology

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Mode of studies

Number of credits

Lectures

0

Consultations

2

Self-studies

5

Seminars

0

Aims of course

Gain a comprehensive knowledge of the diversity, prevalence and role of parasitic organisms in the functioning and evolution of ecosystems

Main topics

Animal associations; general criteria and concepts of parasitism. Types of parasite. Types of host. Host specificity. Modes of reproduction and dispersion of invasive stages. Consequences of parasitism on host population and ecosystem. Structure of parasite population. The distribution of parasites in host population; aggregation and intraspecific interactions. Ecological niches of parasites. Parasite communities and interactions between species of parasites. Speciation of parasites: modes and rates. Host-parasite coevolution. Impact of parasites on host evolutionary biology.

Immunity and immune response. Anti-parasite immunity and adaptations of parasites to avoid host responses.

Parasitic Protista. Phylum Sarcodina, Mastigophora, Apicomplexa, Ciliophora, Cnidosporidia, Microsporidia; typical representatives, general morphology and ultrastructural traits, reproduction and life-cycles, diseases caused by Protista and their diagnostics.

Helminths. Phylum Platyhelminthes, Nemathelminthes, Acanthocephala. Traits of structure, life-cycles, larval forms and modes of reproduction. Main helminthosis of man and animals.

Parasitic arthropods. Phylum Arthropoda. Subphylum Crustacea, Chelicerata, Hexapoda. Morphology, biology and ecology of parasitic species, their ecology, pathogenicity and borne diseases.

Parasitic molluscs. Phylum Mollusca. Morphology and developmental traits of parasitic species.

Main literature

Kublickienė O. 2000. Parazitiniai pirmuonys. Vilniaus universiteto leidykla, V.

Kublickienė O. 2002. Parazitinės kirmėlės. Vilniaus universiteto leidykla, V.

Smyth J.D. 1994. Introduction to Animal Parasitology. Cambridge University Press.

Schmidt G.D., RobertsL.S. 2000. Foundations of Parasitology. Mcgraw-hill Companies, USA.

Poulin R. 2007. Evolutionary Eology of Parasites. Princeton University Press, Princeton and Oxford.

Combes C. 2001. Parasitism. The Ecology and Evolution of Intimate Interactions. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago and London.

Roberts L., Janovy J., Jr., Nadler S. 2012. Foundations of Parasitology. Ninth edition. Mcgraw-hill Companies, USA.

Assessment strategy

Assessment criteria

Exam, seminar presentation, etc.

Short Presentatin (15 min.) of research work (or actual parasitological problems associated with reseach of student) and two questions. Presentation and answers will be evaluated in ten-point system according to the level of knowledge.

Romualda Petkevičiūtė

Dr.

Approved by the Council of Graduate School of Life Sciences Center No 600000-…-… on the …. of …… 2021

Chairman