Definition of ectoparasite in English:
ectoparasite
nounˌɛktəʊˈparəsʌɪtˌektəˈperəsīt
Biology A parasite, such as a flea, that lives on the outside of its host.
Compare with endoparasite
Example sentencesExamples
- We measured various indicators of male health and condition, including the intensity of infection from ectoparasites and blood parasites.
- Several ectoparasite species often infect the same nest, and host responses against one parasite could affect the fitness of other ectoparasites and modify ectoparasite communities.
- The negative association between the two ectoparasites suggests that hen fleas could impose selection pressures on the evolution of Protocalliphora life history traits.
- Cavity-nesting hosts will often face ectoparasites during reproduction.
- Fifth, we test for correlations between ectoparasites and blood parasites.
Derivatives
adjective
Biology Sea lice are ectoparasitic marine crustacea which eat the membrane, skin and blood of their host.
Example sentencesExamples
- Nesting cavities of birds and mammals host a distinctive and varied ectoparasitic fauna where the nest material provides the key microhabitat in which free-ranging ectoparasites find refuge and reproduce.
- In line with this hypothesis, we found that the ectoparasitic fly, Carnus hemapterus, was less abundant on young raised by more heavily spotted females and those flies were less fecund.
- Samples received between December 1, 2003 and February 28, 2004, will be examined free of charge where ectoparasitic disease is suspected.
- In the present study, we measure infection of the ectoparasitic louse, Myrsidea ptilonorhynchi, in individual male satin bowerbirds both as juveniles and nine or more years later as adults.