HYPERPARASITISM Meaning and
Definition
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Hyperparasitism is a term mainly used in the field of biology to describe a specific type of parasitic relationship. It refers to a situation where a parasite inflicts damage or derives nourishment from another organism, which is already acting as a host for another parasite. In simpler terms, hyperparasitism involves a parasite that parasitizes another parasite.
The hyperparasite typically enters the body of an organism already infected by a primary parasite, and instead of directly attacking the host organism, it specifically targets the primary parasite. By doing so, the hyperparasite exploits the primary parasite's resources, either by feeding on it or by interfering with its reproduction, ultimately impairing the primary parasite's ability to harm the host organism. This unique ecological strategy sets hyperparasitism apart from regular parasitism, where a single organism directly preys upon another.
Hyperparasitism can occur in various ecological systems, from plants to animals. For example, in the insect world, some wasps lay their eggs inside the larvae of other wasps, which are already parasitizing other insects. In this case, the hyperparasitic wasp benefits from the resources provided by the primary parasitic wasp's host without directly attacking the host itself.
In summary, hyperparasitism is a specialized form of parasitism where a parasite targets another parasite rather than directly preying on the host organism, exploiting the resources of the primary parasite to its advantage.
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A condition in which a secondary arasite destroys, or nullifies the pathogenic action of, a previously existing parasite.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HYPERPARASITISM
- gyperparasitism
- byperparasitism
- nyperparasitism
- jyperparasitism
- uyperparasitism
- yyperparasitism
- htperparasitism
- hgperparasitism
- hhperparasitism
- huperparasitism
- h7perparasitism
- h6perparasitism
- hyoerparasitism
- hylerparasitism
- hy-erparasitism
- hy0erparasitism
- hypwrparasitism
- hypsrparasitism
- hypdrparasitism
- hyprrparasitism
Etymology of HYPERPARASITISM
The word "hyperparasitism" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "hyper" meaning "over" or "beyond" and "parasitism" which comes from the Greek word "parásitos", meaning "one who eats at the table of another".
In biology, a parasite is an organism that relies on another organism for its survival, often harming or causing detriment to its host. Hyperparasitism specifically refers to a situation where a parasite itself becomes the host for another parasite. The prefix "hyper-" emphasizes the idea of something going beyond or exceeding the typical parasitic relationship.
