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

The pig as a pet

Currently having a pig as a pet is no longer as peculiar as it could be a few years ago years Among the most sought after options we find Vietnamese, dwarf or minipigs pigs and pygmies, all of them beautiful and friendly pigs. We must know that not all people can have a pig as a pet and that is a decision that we must meditate very well before carrying it out, then we explain why. Continue reading this article of Animals and Pets Online on the pig as a pet and find out if indeed the Pork is the ideal pet for you or rather you should think about other options. Is it possible to have a pig as a pet? There are many famous people who have decided to have a pig as a pet and among them we find George Clooney or Paris Hilton, but is it really possible that the pig behaves like a pet? The answer is yes, the pig can be a wonderful domestic pet . Like another animal, the pig needs specific care, education and love from his family.If all this is done properly we can enjoy a wonderfu...

How long does a dog with cancer last?

Listening to the word cancer is synonymous with bad news.Just hear it, images that come to mind are a long process of medications and intensive care, radiotherapy, chemotherapy.Not only humans suffer from this disease, but also animals, as is the case with dogs. When a Pet is diagnosed with this disease, many questions arise.Among them, how long does a dog with cancer last, how it affects it, what care it needs, among others.If you are interested in all this, do not stop reading the next article. How does cancer affect dogs? Canine cancer attacks the body's cells, causing them to multiply in an uncontrolled way.After this, they divide and form more cells successively, affecting the inner organs and damaging the tissue.All this, gradually , it becomes a tumor. There are several types of cancer that are common in all dog breeds, such as: Lymphoma: attacks the lymphatic system.It is characterized by an increase in the size of the nodes found in the jaw.It is one of the...

What animal are you according to your zodiac sign?

Many people trust the zodiac cult when making decisions or finding a compatible partner in love.It is a devotion that has lasted since the time of ancient Greece , so it is not surprising that many people continue to consult the virtues and defects of each particular sign. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we wanted to pay a small tribute to all the signs of the zodiac and the animals that are more related to them. What animal are you according to your zodiac sign? Find out below! Aquarius-20/01 to 02/18 Aquarius is a kindly and humanitarian sign, but in turn independent and unpredictable .Describes progressive and creative people who make their own decisions at Whatever this may cause, this air sign fits perfectly with owls , shy and outgoing at the same time. Pisces-19/02-20/03 Pisces stands out for its compassionate, humble and sentimental behavior .These are reserved and somewhat indecisive people, who get carried away by influences, such as seawater...

What is a stereotypy in animals?

Especially in the zoo, in animal shelters or in small enclosures and not We can see that these are the stereotypes in animals: These are repetitive actions that the animal carries out without a specific purpose , very clear examples they are the dogs that spin on themselves without stopping, rocking or barking.Sometimes it can be related to a mental problem although we usually talk about serious situations of stress that lead to stereotypy. Do you want to know more things about it? Discover what a stereotypy is in animals and how or why it happens in this complete Animals and Pets Online article. Why it happens? As we have mentioned, stereotypes are repetitive movements that are consequences of stress and usually occur in animals that live in captivity such as shelter dogs, zoo animals etc. The main reason for that happening is the inability to satisfy their natural behavior either due to lack of space, food, a drastic change in their life or poor physical activity.Stere...

Milbemax in dogs - USES and DOSE

Milbemax in dogs is a antiparasitic widely used by its wide spectrum of action and its effectiveness, in addition to its ease of use when sold as a chewable tablet with chicken flavor, which facilitates the dog to ingest it voluntarily.In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about the action of milbemax in all types of dogs , its dosage, its possible side effects and, also, the precautions that we must take into account.Of course, we must always administer it according to veterinary prescription . What is milbemax for dogs? As we have said, milbemax is a active antiparasitic product against intestinal parasites such as cestodes, also known as flat worms, or nematodes or roundworms.against other non-intestinal nematodes, such as the Angiostrongylus vasorum , whose adult forms are located in the pulmonary arteries and the heart, or the Thelazia callipaeda , which parasites the eyes.be used in the prevention of another nematode, the Dirofilaria immitis or he...

Why does my dog want to ride me?

Dogs have their own way of expressing themselves, using body language in the time to communicate your mood or perceptions about the environment.As tutors, it is also our responsibility to know and respect the canine nature, as well as learn to communicate more effectively with our furry. However, some dog behaviors can be especially curious and even uncomfortable .One of them is, without a doubt, the habit of riding the leg of your guardian or other people, either in the home itself and even on the street. In this Animals and Pets Online article we will answer your question about why my dog wants to ride me , showing you the main reasons that explain why my dog rides my leg .Keep reading! Why does my dog ride my leg? Before proceeding, we need to clarify that there is no single reason that explains why a dog rides a person, another dog or an object.Body language and behavior the dogs are complex and diverse, so that the same behavior or action can have different m...

14 Animals with feathers - List with names and curiosities

What are the animals with feathers? When you think of feathers, what animals come to your head? You probably remember species such as duck, chicken, hummingbird or ruisenor.Now, do birds only have feathers? The answer to this is yes .Only birds have feathers, this is a feature that allows a species to be included in the group of birds. However, it has been shown that, in the past, some dinosaur species also developed feathers and from them the birds we know descend.Today there is still no definitive conclusion about what caused the change from scales to feathers (thinking about crocodiles, other prehistoric creatures), the different theories plan that it could be due to a process evolutionary to allow the flight of those species of dinosaurs that moved over the treetops and branches through jumps, while others point to thermal protection or attraction mechanisms during the mating season. Despite this, if there is evidence as they point to the dinosaurs belonging to the group ...

My papillero parakeet doesn't want to eat

There are many and very diverse birds that are currently used as companion animals , but without a doubt, one of the most endearing is the Australian parrot or parrot, since it is a pet with which we can establish a strong bond. Sometimes we decide to welcome in our home to a papillero parakeet, that is, a hand-reared parakeet with papilla , and we must be aware that this act implies a great responsibility, since feeding a parakeet in these circumstances can be complex, but since then it is absolutely necessary. In this Animals and Pets Online article we show you several tips if a papillero parakeet does not want to eat . Image of pets.iorigen.com Papillero parakeet feeding Sometimes we do not have enough information to know clearly how to feed a papillero parakeet and if your pet refuses to eat it is important to make sure that the food you provide and the way in which that you do it is the right one. To feed it, you need to buy a specific porridge for pistachios , it ...

The 10 most popular cat breeds in the world

1.Persian cat: a conqueror par excellence It is very likely that you have or know someone who owns or simply loves these beautiful and furry cats.It is that Persian cats seem to have been born for success.Not only for their sweet appearance and somewhat good-natured, but also for its noble character and, at the same time, kind and caring.In fact, the Persians are so dear to everyone that, since they began to be registered by the CFA ( Cat Fanciers Association ), in 1871, occupies the first position among the most popular cat breeds in the world.An undeniable conqueror! Although his mantle is really precious, we must be clear that the care of a Persian cat as a pet must necessarily include daily brushing to preserve its good health and avoid the formation of knots in its beautiful fur. 2.Siames: the most affectionate of all Impossible to talk about Siamese cats without remembering those eyes in beautiful shades of green and blue, which combine perfectly with their elegant fe...

AIR ANIMALS - Examples and characteristics

Flying is one of the ways animals have to move , but not everyone can do it.To fly it is necessary to have physical characteristics that allow the flight.The human being, through the observation of aerial animals, has taken centuries to create a machine that flies, for example, as a bird. Only a few groups of animals have the real ability to fly, although if we see it from the perspective of the species, most of the animal species that exist on the planet fly, insects.In this article of Animal Expert we will know which are the aerial animals , their characteristics and some examples. What are air animals? Air animals are those that use flight as a mechanism of locomotion.For some animals this is their only way of moving but many others use it as an escape route in the presence of a predator. Certain animals spend the majority of their lives flying, performing all their vital functions in the air: eating, interacting with their environment and living or reproducing.For them, f...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog