ectozoon
- noun
- /ˈɛktoʊˌzoʊən/
- Specialized
:
ectozoon
- The flea is a common example of an ectozoon that lives as a parasite on mammals.
Examples
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Fleas are a common type of ectozoon.
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The ectozoon was found on the dog's fur.
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Some fish suffer from ectozoa that attach to their skin and gills.
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The flea is a common example of an ectozoon found on mammals.
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Veterinarians often treat animals for infestations by ectozoa such as ticks and lice.
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Veterinarians often find ectozoons like ticks affecting the health of pets.
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Some fish suffer from ectozoons that attach to their skin, causing irritation.
Synonyms
A small creature that lives on the outside of another animal like a flea
A creature that lives on the outside of another animal and may harm it
A small animal like fleas and ticks that lives on another animal and feeds on its blood or skin
An animal that lives on another animal's body and feeds on it, like a flea or tick
Surface Forms
Morphology
ectozoon = zoon (semi-transparent) = ecto + zoon + ecto
Formally built from 'ecto-' (outside) + 'zoon' (animal) which directly yields 'external animal', but both elements are specialized combining forms used in scientific vocabulary rather than common standalone words, so the term may be unclear to average learners.
Etymology
Ectozoon comes from Greek parts ecto- 'outside' and -zoon 'animal', and the second part is the same root as zoo. So an ectozoon is an animal that lives on the outside of another animal, like a flea or tick.
