Kleptoparasitism

Kleptoparasitism (pronunciation: klep-toh-par-uh-sit-izm) is a form of parasitism where an organism, known as a kleptoparasite, steals food or other resources gathered by another organism, the host. The term is derived from the Greek words "kleptein" (to steal) and "parasitos" (parasite).

Etymology

The term "kleptoparasitism" is a combination of the Greek word "kleptein", which means "to steal", and the Latin word "parasitus", which means "parasite". It was first used in the early 20th century to describe the behavior of certain bird species that steal food from others.

Types of Kleptoparasitism

There are two main types of kleptoparasitism: intraspecific and interspecific. In Intraspecific kleptoparasitism, the kleptoparasite and the host belong to the same species. In Interspecific kleptoparasitism, the kleptoparasite and the host are of different species.

Examples

Kleptoparasitism is common in many animal species, including birds, insects, and mammals. For example, the frigatebird is known for its kleptoparasitic behavior, as it often steals fish from other birds in mid-flight. Similarly, the hyena is a well-known kleptoparasite in the mammal kingdom, often stealing kills from other predators.

Related Terms

Parasitism: A relationship between two species where one benefits at the expense of the other.
Intraspecific kleptoparasitism: A form of kleptoparasitism where the kleptoparasite and the host belong to the same species.
Interspecific kleptoparasitism: A form of kleptoparasitism where the kleptoparasite and the host are of different species.

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Kleptoparasitism
Wikipedia's article - Kleptoparasitism

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Kleptoparasitism