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Glite Dictionary
monoxenous

monoxenous

9.9
A parasite that lives and reproduces in only one host species
  • adjective
  • /məˈnɒksɪnəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : monoxeno
  • Unlike heteroxenous parasites, monoxenous organisms do not need multiple hosts to complete development.

Examples

  • A monoxenous parasite can survive and reproduce using only one host species.

  • Scientists studied the monoxenous life cycle of the protozoan in laboratory mice.

  • The monoxenous parasite thrives in a single host.

  • A monoxenous lifecycle can lead to a rapid increase in parasite numbers.

  • A monoxenous parasite can survive and reproduce using only one host species.

  • Scientists studied the monoxenous life cycle of the protozoan in laboratory mice.

  • Unlike heteroxenous parasites, monoxenous organisms do not need multiple hosts to complete development.

Synonyms

autoecious
vsmonoxenous
  • Specialized
9.9

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

applies to any parasite that completes its life cycle within one species
homoecious
vsmonoxenous
  • UK
9.9

A parasite that lives its whole life on one animal or plant

refers to a life cycle limited to one species rather than several hosts

How Many Hosts

heteroecious
  • Specialized
9.9
monoxenous
  • Specialized
9.9

Surface Forms

monoxenous positive

Morphology

monoxenous = xenous (opaque) = mono + xen + ous

The word is built with the scientific prefix mono- meaning 'single', but the xen- element is a bound classical form that most learners will not recognize.

Etymology

Monoxenous comes from the Greek parts mono- meaning 'one' and xenos meaning 'stranger' or 'guest', the same root you see in xenophobia. So a monoxenous parasite is one that lives and completes its whole life cycle in just a single host species.