This book gathers contributions by 16 international authors on the phenomenon bats, shedding some light on their morphology, the feeding behaviors (insects, fruits, blood) of different groups, their potential and confirmed transmissions of agents of diseases, their endo- and ectoparasites, as well as countless myths surrounding their lifestyle (e.g. vampirism, chupacabras, batman etc.).Bats have been known in different cultures for several thousand centuries, however their nocturnal activities have made them mysterious and led to many legends and myths, while proven facts remained scarce. Even today, our knowledge of bats remains limited compared to other groups in the animal kingdom. Also, their famous ability to avoid collisions with obstacles during their nightly flights with the help of a sophisticated and unique system using ultrasound waves (which are transmitted and received) is as poorly studied as birds finding their way from continent to continent. In recent times, where globalization transports millions of people and goods from one end of the earth to the other, there are increased risks posed by agents of diseases, as a result of which bats have received increasing attention as potential vectors. These suppositions are based on their proven transmission of viruses such as rabies.In dedicated chapters, the book addresses the following topics:• The world of bats• The astonishing morphology of bats• Bats as potential reservoir hosts for vector-borne diseases• Bat endoparasites• Macroparasites ectoparasites• Glimpses into how bats fly• Blood-licking bats• Vampirism in medicine and culture• Chupacabras and goat milkers• Myths on candiruAs such, this book provides a broad range of information for all non-experts interested in biological topics, but also for people working in this field, as well as physicians and veterinarians who are confronted with clinical cases, and for teachers and students interested in expanding their knowledge of biology and of past and present cultures.

Covers the morphology and biology of bats and the potential vectorship of agents of diseases and parasites Special attention is given at the numerous myths that had been told or are still told on these unique organisms Presents some of the most interesting and most important findings in bat research Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext
Heinz Mehlhorn ist Professor für Parasitologie. Von 1991 bis 1995 war er Präsident der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Parasitologie wie auch der Weltgesellschaft für Protozoologie. Mehrere Gastprofessuren und Forschungsexpeditionen haben ihn nach Afrika, Südamerika und Asien geführt. Im Jahre 2000 nahm er an der Jahrtausendexpedition des Alfred-Wegener-Instituts für Polarforschung in die Antarktis teil. Mehlhorn zählt zu den angesehensten Parasitologen in Deutschland und ist durch zahlreiche Fernsehbeiträge über Parasiten und ihre Bekämpfung einem breiten Publikum bekannt.

Inhalt
The World of Bats.- The Astonishing Morphology of Bats.- Bats as Potential Reservoir Hosts for Vector-Borne Diseases.- Bat Endoparasites.- Macroparasites Ectoparasites.- Glimpses into how Bats Fly.- Blood-Licking Bats.- Vampirism in Medicine and Culture.- Chupacabras and Goat Milkers.- Myths on Candiru.