| facultative parasite n. An organism that may either lead an independent existence or live as a parasite. |
facultative parasite.
See parasite.
parasite [par´ah-sīt]
1. a plant or animal that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage; see also symbiosis. Parasites include multicelled and single-celled animals, fungi, and bacteria, and some authorities also include viruses.Those that feed upon human hosts can cause diseases ranging from the mildly annoying to the severe or even fatal. (See accompanying table.) 
Types of parasites.
2. parasitic fetus.
adj., adj parasit´ic.accidental parasite one that parasitizes an organism other than the usual host.
facultative parasite one that may be parasitic upon another organism but can exist independently.
incidental parasite accidental parasite.
malarial parasite Plasmodium.
obligate parasite (obligatory parasite) one that is entirely dependent upon a host for its survival.
periodic parasite one that parasitizes a host for short periods.
temporary parasite one that lives free of its host during part of its life cycle.
parasite
a plant or animal that lives upon or within another living organism at whose expense it obtains some advantage. See also symbiosis.
Among the many parasites in nature, some feed upon animal hosts, causing diseases ranging from the mildly annoying to the severe and often fatal. Parasites include multicelled and single-celled animals, fungi and bacteria. Viruses are sometimes considered to be parasites. However, the commonest use of the word refers to the multicellular helminth, arachnid, crustacean (copepod) and arthropod parasites.
accidental parasite
one that parasitizes an organism other than the usual host.
facultative parasite
one that may be parasitic upon another organism but can exist independently.
incidental parasite
accidental parasite.
obligate parasite, obligatory parasite
one that is entirely dependent upon a host for its survival.
periodic parasite
one that parasitizes a host for short periods.
temporary parasite
one that lives free of its host during part of its life cycle.
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