Definition of kleptoparasite in English:
kleptoparasite
nounˌklɛptə(ʊ)ˈparəsʌɪtˌkleptəˈperəsīt
Zoology A bird, insect, or other animal which habitually robs animals of other species of food.
Example sentencesExamples
- We captured and marked three gulls in 1995; two others were identifiable by unique markings in both years, so in some instances we knew the identity of the kleptoparasite.
- Moreover, larger hunting parties are less likely to lose kills to kleptoparasites because they reduce carcass access time.
- However, they are in competition with other kleptoparasites for opportunities to steal food.
- Collections were transported on ice to Flinders University, where census data were obtained from intact galls without kleptoparasites.
Derivatives
adjective
Zoology In our experiments, kleptoparasitic events were absent and prey density had no significant effect on interacting time.
Example sentencesExamples
- Such kleptoparasitic behavior is particularly common in birds, but it also occurs in mammals and invertebrates.
- In this article, I present a model predicting the use of kleptoparasitism by unequal competitors and the distributions of kleptoparasitic and nonkleptoparasitic individuals among patches.
- In Michigan, Thornhill frequently observed kleptoparasitic behavior of nine Panorpa species.
noun
Zoology We recorded kleptoparasitism and predation by gulls by ad libitum, continuous sampling of the gridded area, including the air above it.
Example sentencesExamples
- In roseate terns, kleptoparasitism is widespread, having been reported in England, Australia, Puerto Rico, and the United States.
- Generally, increasing predator density makes kleptoparasitism more attractive.
- On breeding grounds where the primary source of food is kleptoparasitism, territories are small and pairs nest in loose colonies.
- Some Accipitrids also engage in kleptoparasitism, stealing food from other raptors.
Origin
1950s: from Greek kleptēs ‘thief’ + parasite.