Ectoparasite
- Pronunciation
- /ek-toh-PAR-uh-sahyt/
- Category
- Behavior
- Singular
- Ectoparasite
- Plural
- Ectoparasites
Definition
An organism that lives on the exterior of a host organism, feeding off its blood or tissues.
Etymology
From Greek 'ekto-', meaning 'outside', and 'parasitos', meaning 'one who eats at the table of another'.
Example
Ticks are common ectoparasites that feed on the blood of their host animals.
Synonyms
- External parasite
Related Terms
Usage Notes
Ectoparasites can cause significant discomfort and health issues for their hosts, including the transmission of diseases.