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Glite Dictionary
homoecious

homoecious

9.9
A parasite that lives its whole life on one animal or plant
  • adjective
  • /ˌhoʊmoʊˈiːʃəs/
  • UK
translation icon : homoecio
  • Many rust fungi are homoecious, completing all stages of their development on a single plant species.

Examples

  • Many homoecious parasites can complete their life cycle without changing hosts.

  • She studied homoecious and heteroecious fungi to compare their life cycles.

  • The homoecious nature of this parasite simplifies control strategies in agriculture.

  • The homoecious nature of the rust fungi allows them to thrive on a single plant.

  • Many rust fungi are homoecious, completing all stages of their development on a single plant species.

  • The homoecious nature of this parasite simplifies control strategies in agriculture.

  • Many homoecious parasites can complete their life cycle without changing hosts.

Synonyms

autoecious
vshomoecious
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that completes its whole life cycle on one host species

is the alternative term used for the identical biological concept
monoxenous
vshomoecious
  • Specialized
9.9

A parasite that lives and reproduces in only one host species

is about a single host individual rather than a host species

Surface Forms

homoecious positive

Morphology

homoecious = homo + ecious

The prefix 'homo-' (same) gives a clear clue, but the combining form '-ecious' is specialized biological jargon referring to host occurrence, so the full meaning requires domain knowledge.

Etymology

The word homoecious comes from the Greek parts homo- meaning 'same' and oikos meaning 'house' or 'home', so it literally says 'same home'. That's why a homoecious parasite completes its whole life cycle on a single host — it stays in the 'same house'.