temporary parasite

temporary parasite

n.

An organism accidentally ingested that survives briefly in the intestine.

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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.

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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.