Aquatic ecology and Biodiversity

Unit 8- Animal associations and interactions

8.11. Host and parasite relationship

The study of parasites and their relationship to their hosts is one of the most fascinating and rewarding phase of ecology. The concept of parasitism is complete in relationship between the parasite and its host. The term parasitism is the condition of life normal and necessary for an organism that lives on or in its host and that nourishes itself at the expenses of the host without destroying it as a predator does its prey but after influence some degree of injury affecting its welfare.