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

Types of canaries and their names

How many races of canaries are there? At present, more than 30 types of canaries are known , this being the most abundant species of domestic bird in the world with parakeets, although there are many classifications possible, the canary breeds are usually divided into three large groups: Singing canaries : here, we find the most coveted breeds in canariculture, thanks to their incredible ability to learn and play melodies complex and a great variety of sounds.In the next sections we will see the main races of singing canaries. Canaries by color : this, perhaps, is the most basic classification of canaries, based on the color of their feathers.It is divided into subgroups according to the predominant pigments in its plumage, the lipochromic canaries (shades of dominant and recessive white, yellow and red) and the melancholic canaries (colors black, agate, green, bromine, isabela, brown and tona corrugated qualities). The position or position canaries : also called a design or...

How to deworm canaries? - Internally and externally

The canary is a bird that has been bred in captivity for more of 500 years and is especially appreciated for its pleasant and sweet melodies.It is also a sweet and harmonious bird that enjoys the company of its relatives in a large cage. However, on the sidelines of their diet, one of the main cares that we must offer our canaries is grooming, since otherwise they contract parasites that can be very dangerous for their health. Do you want to know how to deworm canaries? In this article we tell you different methods! What parasites affect the canaries? The parasites are one of the most common diseases in the Canaries, which contract them mainly due to the lack of hygiene in the space where they live.If you have canaries it is of vital importance that you maintain a correct cleaning of their cages and utensils, since certain parasites can even cause them death. The most common parasites that affect these birds are: Mites in the canaries : they can stay in the body of the a...

Animals with exoskeleton - Names and examples

The body of the largest vertebrate animals is not a mystery to most of people: it is known that it has a skeleton, internal vital organs (heart, brain, etc.), a dermis of variable and organ characteristics through which the five senses are manifested, among other characteristics. However, have you wondered what the invertebrate morphology is like? Then you need to know all about the animals with exoskeleton, names and examples. Don't miss this Animals and Pets Online article! What is the exoskeleton? The exoskeleton is an external structure that covers the body of various animals, including arthropods.It is characterized by being resistant but flexible .This structure It consists of different substances depending on the subfile to which the animal belongs: chitin for insects and fungi, calcium in mollusks and corals or silica in diatoms among other components. In turn, the exoskeleton is formed by three structures : Cuticle : non-cellular layer secreted by the hyp...

Caring for rainbow fish

The Melanotaenia boesemani , known as a rainbow fish, it is a small fish of lively color from the lakes of Indonesia and New Guinea, but currently distributed throughout the world in captivity.The bright colors of this species, which mix the blue, violet, yellow, red and white, have made it a favorite for home aquariums, where they stand out for their beauty and fast movements when swimming. If you are thinking of adopting one or more of these specimens, you need to know everything related to the comforts that you must offer them, so ExpertAnimal presents this article about the care of rainbow fish . Rainbow Fish Feeding The rainbow is omnivorous and quite gluttonous, so finding food for it will not be a problem.It is recommended to vary dry food with live prey small size.In this way you can offer everything from flakes and granulated food, to larvae and live artemias.Of course, if you do not find live food you can replace it with one that is frozen. These fish do not...

How to make homemade brood paste for mandarin diamond?

The diamond mandarin ( Taeniopygia guttata ) is a small bird from Australia, very popular among those who wish to have a bird at home and are not very expert in terms of the care they need. With a cheerful and outgoing temperament, they are singing animals whose diet is gramineous, that is, they feed mainly on seeds.If you have a pigeon of this species, or your bird couple is about to have young, in ExpertAnimal we recommend the following recipe from homemade brood paste for mandarin diamond , very simple and easy to do. Steps to follow: 1 The breeding stage of breeding is extremely important for your mandarin diamond to become a healthy and strong bird.In addition to providing all the vitamins, minerals and other components necessary for its development, during this period of its life the The animal must learn to consume all the food required by its species.Otherwise, as an adult it will reject most of the things you try to give it. That's why the ingredients in p...

Cetaceans - Meaning, Types and Features

The cetaceans are the marine animals most famous for their presence in ancient tales and legends.They are animals that have always aroused great interest on the part of the human being.These animals, in general, are great strangers that, little by little, are disappearing without, apparently , let's do nothing. In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will talk about cetaceans, which are, their characteristics, where they live and other curiosities .Do you want to know more about these inhabitants of the sea depths? Keep reading! What are cetaceans? The order of the cetaceans is composed of two suborders, the myxicets, formed by the bearded whales, and that of the odontocetes, composed of cetaceans with teeth, such as sperm whales, dolphins and killer whales. The evolution of the cetaceans has resulted in a similarity between these two living suborders, being the result of evolutionary convergence.The common structural characteristics between the two groups, suc...

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...

Can I bathe my dog if I just wormed him?

When is it a first time in adopting a dog, it is normal that many doubts arise about what is best for them and when it is advisable to do everything, so Animals and Pets Online solves all the questions that arise. Deworming your dog periodically is necessary to preserve their health and avoid possible diseases from the action of microorganisms, external and internal parasites, among others.If you do not know when you should bathe your dog after a deworming , keep reading this article. Why deworm the dog? You may think that deworming is not necessary, but the truth is that thanks to it you avoid your dog much discomfort, in addition to prevent diseases transmitted by parasites . Among the main parasites, both external and internal, are ticks, fleas, lice, losacaros and intestinal worms, among many others.Pruritus, hair loss, diarrhea, tick disease, and even death in the most serious cases, they are part of the consequences that cause these beings to stay in the body of your furr...

Should parrots' wings be cut?

Having parrots at home is very common.They are small pets , colorful and very funny to see in their day to day.However, with the popularity they gain as companions of human homes, the number of people who choose to cut their wings to prevent them from escaping also increases. This practice that may seem common, has its detractors when it comes to thinking about the most beneficial for the bird.Do you want to know if the wings of the parrots should be cut ? Keep reading This article from Animal Expert! How are parrot wings cut? Before telling you whether or not it is advisable to cut the wings of your parrot, it is necessary to explain a little about how the process is carried out and the modifications that it implies in these limbs of the birds. When we talk about cutting the wings, there are two main procedures and some levels in each.The first of these processes is the alectomy , which consists in removing the distal phalanges of the wing and removing the primary feathers ,...

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...

Animals and Pets Online

Search This Blog