Viral Ecology defines and explains the ecology of viruses by examining their interactions with their hosting species, including the types of transmission cycles that have evolved, encompassing principal and alternate hosts, vehicles, and vectors. It examines virology from an organismal biology approach, focusing on the concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of viruses, their hosts, and their vectors.

• The relationship between viruses and their hosting species
• The concept that viral interactions with their hosts represents a highly evolved aspect of organismal biology
• The types of transmission cycles which exist for viruses, including their hosts, vectors, and vehicles
• The concept that viral infections represent areas of overlap in the ecology of the viruses, their hosts, and their vectors