Parasitism - Definition, types and examples

Parasitism is one of the most widespread life strategies in the Animal Kingdom, being at least 20% of the parasitic animal species of other organisms.

There are taxa only composed of parasitic beings, such as viruses and acanthcephals (parasitic worms).These types of organisms live at the expense of other living beings, either during their entire life or for a short period.

In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will learn the definition of parasitism, the different types that exist, we will understand what advantages and disadvantages this style has of life and we will know some examples.

What is parasitism?

Parasitism is a type of symbiosis in which one of the organisms involved (host) is harmed, that is, it does not obtain any benefit and also suffers damage derived from the relationship.On the other hand, the parasite find in this relationship its survival mode.This type of relationship is maintained until one of the two individuals (parasite or host) dies.

Within this relationship, each member belongs to a different species.parasito needs to live in the host to get food, often genetic material for the creation of their own proteins and, in addition, finds in the host their habitat, without which they could not live.

For everything this, parasites are organisms that need a close and continuous relationship with a host (of another species), which provides food, digestive enzymes or materials and stimulates them to develop or reproduce.

Types of parasitism

There are several ways to classify parasites, then we show you the best known or used:

Taxonomic classification: taxonomically, parasites are classified as phytoparasites when they parasitize plants and zooparasites when they infect animals.In parasitology, a science that studies parasites, only zooparasites are treated.

Classification according to the level of dependence the parasite has on the host:

Optional parasite: are those species of parasites that are capable of living through another form of life in addition to the parasitic.
Mandatory parasite: they are those that cannot live outside the host, they depend totally on it for any stage of development.
Accidental parasite: they are the parasites that, by mistake, end up inside an animal which is not their usual host and, despite this, gets Survive.
Erratic parasite: parasites that live in e The interior of the animals usually do so in a specific organ or tissue.A parasite that is in an organ that is not normal is known as an erratic parasite.

Classification according to the location of the parasite within of the host:

Endoparasite: are the parasites that need to live inside the host, such as the heart, lungs, liver or digestive tract.
Ectoparasite: they live on the host, never inside.For example on the skin or hair.

Classification according to the period of time that the parasite keeps the host parasitized:

Temporary parasites: the parasitic phase is temporary and only occurs on the surface of the animal (host), never inside.The parasite is fed on the host, its skin or blood, for example.
Periodic parasite: the parasite needs to pass one of the stages of his life (egg, larva, juvenile or adult) inside the host, then he will live freely.
Permanent parasite: the parasite must spend his entire life inside or outside the guest if he wants to survive.

Advantages of living as a parasite

In the beginning, the animals we know today as parasites had a free lifestyle in the past.The fact that at a given moment in evolution these animals acquired a parasitic lifestyle, it suggests that they should get some kind of benefit.

The first advantage that parasites find is that of habitat.Animals have mechanisms to keep homeostasis inside their body, which gives the parasite the possibility of living in a medium that barely has fluctuations.

On the other hand, they have an easy way of distributing their offspring over large areas quickly.For example, if the parasite releases eggs to through the feces of his host, it is certain that his offspring will develop in other places.For a parasite the food is always close and available, because it feeds on the host itself or part of the food that it eats.

Disadvantages of living as a parasite

Not all are advantages for parasitic life animals.The fact of living inside a body makes the parasitic congenres far away, both in space and time, since they will live in other guests, Therefore, strategies for sexual reproduction must be found in order to combine genetic material.

As a rule, guests do not want to be parasitized, so they will be hostile to parasites and try to get rid of them.at all costs, for example, through grooming.In addition, the guest may die, so the habitat is not forever.

Examples of parasitisms

In this section we show you some of the most known and common parasitic relationships, many of them, are also zoonoses.

Coccidiosis is a disease caused by a group of protist parasites belonging to the subclass Coccidiasina.Coccidia are obligate intracellular parasites, so they need a host to live, they must also be found not only inside the animal, but inside their cells.
Echinocosis or hydatidosis is another serious disease caused by the relationship that occurs between a parasite of the Cestoda class and a mammal, usually cattle, pets or the human being itself.Cestodes are endoparasites of the digestive tract like tapeworms.Their larvae can travel through the blood to other organs such as the liver, producing hydatid cysts.
Fleas and lice are other good examples of parasitism.In this case, parasites live on the animal and not inside it.

If you want to read more articles similar to Parasitism-Definition, types and examples , we recommend that you enter our Curiosities section of the animal world.

Bibliography

Palacios, JT, Chiaretta, A.,&Lovera, H.(2006).Parasitism: An Interspecific Association.Argentina: National University of Rio Cuarto.
Posada, JOA (2014).Description of the most common intestinal parasites in canines taken to the Lasallian Veterinary Clinic Brother Octavio Martinez Lopez.Journal of Agriculture and Animal Sciences, 2 (1).
Taylor, MA,&Catchpole, J.(1994).Coccidiosis of domestic ruminants.Applied Parasitology, 35 (2), 73-86.

Comments

How to know what size a mongrel dog will be?

When we talk about a mixed breed dog or mixed breed dog , generally we refer to a dog whose ancestry is unknown and that has typical characteristics of two or more breeds.This is usually the result of a non-selective breeding, but generally fortunate, since a mongrel dog can be exactly as good companion as a dog of a certain breed. Due to numerous factors, although here it is worth highlighting the great genetic variability, there are many advantages of having a mongrel dog and it is important to emphasize this point since unfortunately it is usually grant a lower value to a dog of these characteristics.If you are thinking of adopting a mixed breed dog, you are surely gathering all the necessary information, if you are wondering how to know what size a mongrel dog will be I didn't leave It is to read this article of Animals and Pets Online. Is it possible to know the size of a mongrel dog? Of course, estimating the exact size of a mongrel dog is not an easy task, although ...

Why was the dodo extinguished?

Surely you've ever heard of the dodo, that fat and silly bird that died in the hands of the conquerors.We have all heard that story but we know little about this animal that I inhabit for a long time in the Mauritius Islands long before the arrival of men. All the data we have about of the Dodo are ancient descriptions and some specimens in different museums of the world.There were two species, the common dodo and the white dodo , the latter inhabited Reunion Island. In this article of Animals and Pets Online you will know the main characteristics of this animal. Because they disappeared and when the last dodo was notified . Features The dodo was a non-flying bird endemic to the Mauritius islands in the Indian Ocean, they were only present in this region and their bodies had adapted to life on these islands. They had no natural predators so they lost the ability to fly.They adapted to terrestrial life which led to a series of changes in their anatomy.The wings were m...

The best cat breeds for allergy sufferers

Approximately about 30% of the population suffers cat allergy and dogs, the first option being much more common than the second one.However, being allergic to one or more animals does not mean that the body of the affected person reacts as a result of the presence of the feline, can, etc., but for the proteins found in the urine, dandruff or saliva of animals, called allergens. 80% of cat allergies are a the Fel D1 protein , produced in the saliva, skin and some organs of the animal.In this way, and despite the erroneous belief of many, it is not the hair of the feline that causes the allergy, although It can accumulate in the allergen after self-treatment.Also, if you are part of the aforementioned 30% but you love these furry companions and you would love to be able to Vir with one, you should know that there is a series of cat breeds for allergies that produce a smaller amount of the allergen, as well as a series of very effective techniques to avoid allergic reactions.Read ...

10 reasons to walk your dog

The dog is an animal that needs to walk 2 to 3 times a day, But do you know why that is so? In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will explain why it is so important to walk with your dog, why the garden does not replace the walk and many other things that, perhaps you do not know. Do not forget This is a very important habit that you must carry out on a daily basis.Not doing so can be very harmful for your pet, do not forget it.Keep reading and discover 10 reasons to walk with your dog . 1.They must make their needs The first reason, and the most important , to take a dog for a walk, is to allow him to do his needs until he is satisfied. Apart from puppies that are not yet able to go outside or who are learning to urinate, it is very negative to allow our dog to urinate and defecate at home.In addition to causing a bad smell, we will be creating an unhealthy environment important that can lead to serious health problems in dogs and humans. 2.It allows them to ...

12 invasive species in Argentina and its consequences

According to the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development e , through the National Information System on Invasive Exotic Species, more than 650 invasive species were detected in Argentina .Many of these species were introduced by man, with the intention of obtaining economic benefits, "increase" the local level of sport hunting, or combat pests that were damaging agriculture or livestock. Although the idea of greater diversity in nature may seem interesting, the introduction of exotic animals and plants, Without a previous study of its environmental impact, it usually threatens the survival of the native fauna and flora of the country .In this new article of Animals and Pets Online, we present the main 12 invasive alien species in Argentina and its consequence s for the country's ecosystem. 1.Pinto starling (Sturnus vulgaris) The introduction of these birds is very recent in Argentina, but it already generates great concern for its impact on fauna...

The 15 best dog feeds on the market

What to consider when selecting the best dog food? When selecting the feed that we are going to provide to our dog, we must take into account, mainly, its age.This is because industrial balanced foods are classified according to the age of the animal , offering I think for junior dogs (puppies), I think for adult dogs and I think for senior (elderly) dogs.When a dog goes from junior to adult and then to senior ? I think for dogs junior , in general, is intended for puppies from 2 to 12-15 months, depending on their adult size. I think for adult dogs is for dogs that are 1 to 8 years old. I think for dogs senior is designed to meet the nutritional needs of dogs that exceed 8 years of age. In addition to the age of the animal, we will consider its adult size , since there are also small dog food s, medium, large and giant, adapted to the needs of each one. Once the range of feed for dogs that fits the age and size of our furry companion has been detected, how to ch...

Feline Calicivirus - Symptoms and Treatment

In Animals and Pets Online we want the best for your pet, That is why we try to cover all the diseases, ailments and behaviors that may be presented to your furry friend. On this occasion, we will talk about the feline calicivirus, symptoms and treatment , because this disease is very common among cats and can be dangerous for your cat if it is not detected in time. Always remember not to self-medicate your pet, go to the consultation with your veterinarian before any unusual symptoms or behavior, and give your little friend all the love, care and food he needs to be a strong, healthy and happy animal. What is feline calicivirus? It is a highly infectious disease that usually affects large colonies of felines, due to the ease with which the virus is transmitted.However, it can also appear among home cats. Calicivirus (FCV) is a type of feline flu .It manifests itself as an acute respiratory disease that affects the feline's upper pathways, causing sinusitis and rhin...

Dog breeds not recognized by the FCI

The FCI is the worldwide canine organization that approves pedigree dogs.There are several dog breeds not recognized by the FCI , even if they meet all the requirements to be considered "pure" breeds from the phylogenetic point of view. In this Animals and Pets Onlinet article We explain to you what these breeds are and why they are not recognized by the Federation Cynologique Internationale . Do not forget that the breed of the dog is not important unless you want to participate in morphology competitions canine.Read more: In many cases, breeds are not recognized by the FCI because they do not have a detailed written standard .In other cases because they do not meet the requirements established by the FCI.And in other cases, simply because no canine person or organization has bothered Evade the procedure so that these races are recognized by the FCI. It is also possible that political aspects outside the canine organizations have prevented the international diffu...

Mediterranean rock fish

In the Mediterranean sea coast there is a very rich fauna and diverse.There are surface, medium and deep water fishes.And among the fish that live in the depths of the coast, the Mediterranean rock fish stand out. Many of these fish are masters of camouflage and can adopt an indistinguishable aspect, identical to that of the rock where they are seated.Others live hidden among the cracks and fissures of the underwater rockery. If you continue reading the Animals and Pets Online we will show you the most characteristic rock fish of the Mediterranean . Small size rock fish In the riverside rocks, part of which emerge out of the water, there are several species of small-sized rock fish .Next we will relate the most common ones. Maiden- Coris julis -, beautiful fish of vivid colors. Vaqueta -Serranus scriba -, very common serranido of the shallow waters. Castanuela- Chromis chromis -, a very small fish that lives in small shoals among the rocky shoals. Barriguda- Par...

Belier rabbit care

When we refer to the belier rabbit we can see that it is a small rabbit, of long and fallen ears, a furry and friendly animal.But when we decide to adopt one we must pay attention to their particular needs . This rabbit is around 2.5 kilograms and It is a breed of delicate and calm rabbit but still has needs to exercise and socialize with people or other rabbits.To obtain information on the best care of your belier rabbit follow the advice of Animals and Pets Online although of course, who knows Your rabbit is better than anyone, it's you. Keep reading this article from Animals and Pets Online to know everything about Belier rabbit care and remember that all of this should be contrasted with what you observe in your particular rabbit, let's go there! A space for the Belier rabbit To start, if you have decided to adopt a belier rabbit, it is very important that you acquire a cage wide enough so that the rabbit can move freely and without distressing. Although it ...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog