Workshop no. 13. Evolution of helminths

Abstract

There are few, if any, authenticated records of fossil helminths or even of the hard parts of ectoparasitic monogeneans. This means that theories of helminth evolution can be based only on indirect evidence and are unlikely to be confirmed or refuted by palaeontologists.Currently three main areas of study provide evidence of evolutionary trends: (i) morphology, in its broadest sense; (ii) life-history studies; (iii) host spectra and geographical distribution.