kleptoparasite
/ˌklɛptə(ʊ)ˈparəsʌɪt
/noun Zoology
A bird, insect, or other animal which habitually robs animals of other species of food.However, they are in competition with other kleptoparasites for opportunities to steal food....
- Moreover, larger hunting parties are less likely to lose kills to kleptoparasites because they reduce carcass access time.
- Collections were transported on ice to Flinders University, where census data were obtained from intact galls without kleptoparasites.
Derivatives
kleptoparasitic
- 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.
kleptoparasitism
- In roseate terns, kleptoparasitism is widespread, having been reported in England, Australia, Puerto Rico, and the United States.
- On breeding grounds where the primary source of food is kleptoparasitism, territories are small and pairs nest in loose colonies.
- Generally, increasing predator density makes kleptoparasitism more attractive.
Origin
Late 20th century: from Greek kleptēs 'thief' + parasite.