Paratenic
Encyclopedia
In parasitology
, the term paratenic describes a host which is not needed for the development of the parasite, but nonetheless serves to maintain the life cycle
of the parasite. Alaria americana may serve as an example: the so-called mesocercarial stages of this parasite reside in tadpole
s, which are rarely eaten by the definitive canine host. These are more frequently preyed on by snakes, in which the mesocercariae may not undergo further development. However, the parasites may accumulate in the snake paratenic host and infect the definitive host once the snake is consumed by a canid.
Parasitology
Parasitology is the study of parasites, their hosts, and the relationship between them. As a biological discipline, the scope of parasitology is not determined by the organism or environment in question, but by their way of life...
, the term paratenic describes a host which is not needed for the development of the parasite, but nonetheless serves to maintain the life cycle
Biological life cycle
A life cycle is a period involving all different generations of a species succeeding each other through means of reproduction, whether through asexual reproduction or sexual reproduction...
of the parasite. Alaria americana may serve as an example: the so-called mesocercarial stages of this parasite reside in tadpole
Tadpole
A tadpole or polliwog is the wholly aquatic larval stage in the life cycle of an amphibian, particularly that of a frog or toad.- Appellation :...
s, which are rarely eaten by the definitive canine host. These are more frequently preyed on by snakes, in which the mesocercariae may not undergo further development. However, the parasites may accumulate in the snake paratenic host and infect the definitive host once the snake is consumed by a canid.