Pseudoparasitism

Pronunciation
/soo-doh-par-uh-sit-iz-uhm/
Category
Behavior
Singular
Pseudoparasitism
Plural
Pseudoparasitisms

Definition

A phenomenon in which an organism appears to be parasitic but actually lacks a true parasitic relationship.

Etymology

From Greek 'pseudo-', meaning 'false', and 'parasitism'.

Example

Some species of mites might appear to be parasitic on insects, but they may only feed on the insect's secretions or dead skin, without harming the host.

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