The Lymnaeidae (also known as ‘pond snails’) are a species-rich and globally distributed family of freshwater snails, many species of which are known to be hosts of parasitic trematodes (such as the liver fluke, Fasciola hepatica). Written by world-leading experts in the field, this book covers a wealth of topics ranging from the phylogeny and taxonomy of lymnaeid snails to their relationships with helminths and their impact on public and veterinary health. It provides an overview of the species richness, evolution, ecology, biogeography and fossil record of the family. A considerable number of chapters are devoted to the economic and medical importance of lymnaeids, their involvement in the transmission of fascioliasis and other zoonotic diseases. Special chapters deal with the molecular and morphological identification of the Lymnaeidae, their rearing in the laboratory and experimental approaches to their study.

Animal welfare is attracting increasing interest worldwide, but particularly from those in developed countries, who now have the knowledge and resources to be able to offer the best management systems for their farm animals, as well as potentially being able to offer plentiful resources for companion, zoo and laboratory animals. The increased attention given to farm animal welfare in the West derives largely from the fact that the relentless pursuit of financial reward and efficiency has led to the development of intensive animal production systems, that challenge the conscience of many consumers in those countries. In developing countries human survival is still a daily uncertainty, so that provision for animal welfare has to be balanced against human welfare. Welfare is usually provided for only if it supports the output of the animal, be it food, work, clothing, sport or companionship. In reality, there are resources for all if they are properly husbanded in both developing and developed countries. The inequitable division of the world’s riches creates physical and psychological poverty for humans and animals alike in all sectors of the world. Livestock are the world’s biggest land user (FAO, 2002) and the population is increasing rapidly to meet the need of an expanding human population. Populations of farm animals managed by humans are therefore increasing worldwide, and there is the tendency to allocate fewer resources to each animal. Increased attention to welfare issues is just as evident for companion, laboratory, wild and zoo animals.

This Volume 1 of a two-volume topical collection highlights reproductive biotechnologies applied to males and females of different animal species. Organized in five parts, you will find a detailed review of the most relevant topics for reproduction management in equines, cattle, swine, and small ruminants. The authors discuss genomic selection, the use of ultrasound, sperm evaluation and conservation, oocyte retrieval, embryonic development, and significant clinical aspects such as stress and physiological impacts, including thermal conditions.

This book reviews the etiology of major zoonotic diseases, their impact on human health, and control mechanisms for better management. It also examines factors influencing transmission, diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of zoonotic diseases caused by different human pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoans, and parasites. It also introduces zoonoses with a wildlife reservoir and discusses different transmission modes, and factors that influence the epidemiology of zoonoses. It further discusses the holistic strategies for the cost-effective prevention and control of these zoonoses. Towards the end, the book also discusses infections that have spread from non-human primates to humans and strategies to improve disease control and elimination. This book is very useful for students, academicians, and researchers of veterinary sciences, veterinary medicine, and, veterinary public health.

This book focuses exclusively on the welfare of goats, which have peculiar behavioral characteristics and needs, and distinct individual personalities. Despite the many differences between goats and sheep, welfare and health issues of small ruminants have often been addressed together.