Parasites in biological invasions: An introduction

Biological invasions can result in the co-introduction of parasitic hitchhikers. These 'invasive parasites' include viruses, bacteria, fungi, protists and metazoan symbionts, and they can have diverse effects on the ecological and evolutionary dynamics of their invasive hosts and recipient communities. Some invasive parasites are agents of disease, and the spread of these parasites could ultimately harm biodiversity, global economies and human health. In this introduction, we highlight the significance of researching and understanding parasite invasions, and we include key examples that demonstrate why investigations of parasite invasions should be a critical scientific objective across institutions and management agencies around the globe. The introduction to this book provides an overview of each chapter and their broad aims. The layout of chapters follow the 'introduction, arrival, establishment and impact' process of a biological invasion, but the examples in this book specifically draw upon bioinvasions that are understood to have accompanying parasitological implications.