Preface -- Echinostomes: systematics and life cycles -- Echinostomes and snails: exploring complex interactions -- Echinostomes in the second intermediate host -- Echinostomes in the definitive host: a model for the study of host-parasite relationships -- Maintenance, cultivation, and excystation of echinostomes: 2000-2007 -- Echinostomes in the wild -- Echinostomes in humans -- Immunology and pathology of echinostome infections in the definitive host -- Echinostomes: genomics and proteomics -- Studies of echinostomes using chromatography and atomic spectrometry -- Effects of environmental change on helminth infections in amphibians: exploring the emergence of Ribeiroia and Echinostoma infections in North America -- Concurrent infections of echinostomes with helminths and protozoans -- Use of Echinostoma spp. in studies on chemotherapy and metabolic profiling. The Biology of Echinostomes presents the echinostomes in the context of modern parasitology and shows applications of new methodologies and concepts to a group of trematodes that may be useful to obtain information of great value in both parasitology and general biology. Several chapters cover the research and literature on such echinostome-like trematodes as Ribeiroia spp. Emphasis is placed on recent advances and gaps in knowledge that must be filled to determine the importance of this group of digeneans as experimental models. This is critical to gain a full understanding of the potential role of echinostomes in the field of experimental parasitology. All chapters are covered from a modern point of view, considering matters such as the applications of novel techniques and analysis of data in the context of host-parasite interactions. The Biology of Echinostomes is an ideal volume for researchers and advanced students concentrating on echinostomes as experimental models.