This volume was first published in 1985. A knowledge of this phylum of parasitic worms is essential for helminthologists and instructive for all research workers investigating the principles of parasitism. Each of the chapters is written by a specialist on the biology of the Acanthocephala. Systematics, functional morphology, feeding, nutrition, metabolism, reproduction, embryology, development, epizootiology, life-history patterns and population ecology are reviewed and analysed in detail; problems for further investigation are identified. Special features of the book include a taxonomic revision and list of valid species, anatomical illustrations and extensive tables covering morphological terms, host-parasite associations, life-history parameters and reproductive biology. The three indices (parasite, author and subject) and the comprehensive list of over a thousand references help the reader to use this major source of reference on a fascinating group of parasites.