Anticoagulin

Definition

A substance produced by certain blood-feeding arthropods, such as ticks and mosquitoes, to prevent the host's blood from clotting, thereby facilitating feeding.

Etymology

From Latin 'anti-', meaning 'against', and 'coagulare', meaning 'to cause to curdle or clot'.

Example

The anticoagulin secreted by the mosquito's salivary glands helps it to feed without the host's blood clotting.

Synonyms

• Anticlotting factor

Related Terms

• Saliva
• Feeding
• Blood meal

Usage Notes

Anticoagulins play a crucial role in the feeding process of many hematophagous (blood-feeding) arthropods, enabling them to suck blood more efficiently.