#13-Parasitism Flashcards
What is a parasite?
Consumes the tissues or bodily fluids of the organism On which it lives
What is a pathogen?
Parasite that causes disease
What are parasitoids?
Insects whose larvae feed on a single host and almost always kill in
What is a macroparasite?
Large species
- anthropods and worms
What are microparasites?
Microscopic such a bacteria
Parasites can either be _____ or ______
Generalists
Specialists
What are ectoparasites?
Live on the outer surface of the host
What are endoparasites?
Live inside their hosts
Which parasites can disperse more easily?
Ectoparasites
- endoparasites have evolved mechanisms for dispersal
How can hosts get rid of ecto and endoparasites ?
Ecto- picked off by other organisms
Endo- protected because inside the body but can get attacked by the immune system
What do host and parasite both do?
Evolved adaptations in order to outcompete the other.
- strong selection pressure
What can some hosts do to endoparasites?
Encapsulate them to make them harmless
How do arms races stop?
Because of trade offs
- trait that improves host defences or parasites
- may reduce growth, survival, reproduction
What happens when parasites reduce the survival or productions of the host?
Can reduce the size of the host population
Alter outcomes of species interaction
Causing communities to change
How can parasites influence species interaction?
Usually chooses the weaker competitor
