Ectoparasites
Ectoparasites
Ectoparasites (/ɛktoʊˈpærəsaɪts/; from the Greek ektos, meaning "outside", and parasitos, meaning "parasite") are a category of parasites that live on the surface of their host.
Etymology
The term "ectoparasite" is derived from the Greek words ektos (outside) and parasitos (parasite). It was first used in the early 19th century to describe parasites that live on the exterior of their hosts.
Definition
Ectoparasites are organisms that live on the skin or the outer surface of their host. They can include lice, fleas, ticks, and mites. Unlike endoparasites, which live inside the host's body, ectoparasites remain on the outside.
Types of Ectoparasites
There are several types of ectoparasites, including:
- Lice (Pediculus humanus): These are small, wingless insects that live on the human scalp and feed on blood.
- Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis): These are small, wingless insects that live on the skin of mammals and birds, feeding on their blood.
- Ticks (Ixodes scapularis): These are small arachnids that live on the skin of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians, feeding on their blood.
- Mites (Sarcoptes scabiei): These are tiny arachnids that burrow into the skin and cause scabies.
Related Terms
- Parasitism: The relationship between a parasite and its host.
- Endoparasite: A parasite that lives inside its host.
- Host (biology): An organism that harbors a parasite.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ectoparasites
- Wikipedia's article - Ectoparasites
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