This comprehensive, yet accessible text provides an up-to-date guide to the development, composition and distribution of indigenous microbial communities of humans. With the aid of abundant colour figures, diagrams, tables and maps, it establishes links between the physicochemical factors prevailing at an anatomical site and the types of microbes to be found there. The book includes an introduction to the human-microbe symbiosis as well as an in-depth look at the main systems and organs of the human body that have an indigenous microbiota.Each chapter includes a list of references for further study. This is an excellent and informative reference book that is useful to anyone with an interest in microbiology, medical microbiology, microbial ecology, infectious diseases, immunology, human biology, medicine, dentistry, nursing, health sciences, biomedical sciences or pharmacy - it should be on the shelf of every major science and medical library. This title provides a comprehensive, yet accessible, reference book on the human microbiota. It is lavishly illustrated with colour figures, diagrams, tables and maps. Each chapter provides a list of references to promote further study. Each chapter contains links to key websites. It offers an ecological approach that explains why certain organisms are associated with a particular anatomical site.