Parasites & Victims
Molluscs as parasites and victims of parasitism: biodiversity, ecology and evolution
Responsible organizers
• Kenneth De Baets (Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, University of Warsaw)
• Aleksandra Skawina (University of Warsaw)
Keynote Speaker: Prof. Dr. Alexander Nützel (SNSB-BSPG, Bavarian State Collection for Palaeontology and Geology, Munich, Germany)
Abstract: Up to half of all animals have been estimated to have a parasitic lifestyle, yet the number of transitions to parasitism and their potential for species diversification and evolution remain largely unresolved. Mollusks are diverse both as parasites and host for parasites. They offer a unique perspective to better understand the impact of parasite-host interactions on the biodiversity, ecology and evolution of both parasites and victims. The symposium brings together researchers working on the co-evolution of mollusks and their parasites or hosts in the broadest sense ranging from the modulation of mollusk immune responses, diversity and distribution in relationship with their parasites as well as the impact of parasitic mollusks on the ecology and evolution of their hosts.