Brood parasitism
- Pronunciation
- /brood PAIR-uh-si-tiz-uhm/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Brood parasitism
- Plural
- Brood parasitisms
Definition
A reproductive strategy where one species benefits by having another species raise its offspring, often to the detriment of the host species' own offspring.
Etymology
From 'brood,' meaning 'the young of an animal,' and 'parasitism,' from Greek 'parasitismos', meaning 'to live at another's expense'.
Example
Brood parasitism in cuckoo bees involves laying eggs in the nests of other bee species, thus avoiding the cost of parental care.
Synonyms
Related Terms
- Parasitism
- Reproductive strategy
- Host
- Offspring
Usage Notes
Brood parasitism can have significant impacts on the population dynamics of both the parasitic and host species.