• biogeography
• distribution
• Echinococcus multilocularis
• global change
• host

Understanding the biogeography of complex life cycle parasites is essential to prevent their spread and apply surveillance plans. In this thesis I studied the distribution of one of the most relevant zoonotic parasites, the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis, both in geographical and in host space, with a special focus on the European continent. I first reviewed current knowledge on the drivers of E. multilocularis transmission, then proposed a hypothesis that explains the restricted geographical distribution of this species of parasite compared to congeneric species, then predicted the susceptibility of potential intermediate hosts for E. multilocularis in Europe and finally predicted the habitat suitability for E. multilocularis in Europe at a 25x25 km scale. I found that: i) large scale and small scale drivers of E. multilocularis distribution are primarily linked to climate and land cover, although trophic ecology and defecation behaviour of definitive hosts are also relevant at small scales; ii) the Holarctic distribution of E. multilocularis is linked to the higher virulence for shorter lived intermediate hosts compared to congeneric species; iii) the probability of being successfully infected with E. multilocularis for a rodent species increases with range size; iv) an increase of suitability for this parasite is predicted towards higher altitudes and latitudes. These results will help drive pre-emptive control efforts for this zoonotic cestode.