Superparasitism
(Redirected from Superparasite)
Superparasitism is a phenomenon in parasitology where a single host is parasitized by multiple individuals of the same parasitoid species. This can occur when a parasitoid lays more eggs in a host that has already been parasitized, leading to competition among the larvae for resources.
Mechanisms[edit | edit source]
Superparasitism can occur due to several reasons:
- **Host availability**: In environments where hosts are scarce, parasitoids may be forced to lay eggs in already parasitized hosts.
- **Host quality**: Some hosts may be of such high quality that they can support multiple parasitoid larvae.
- **Parasitoid behavior**: Some parasitoids may not be able to recognize that a host has already been parasitized, leading to repeated oviposition.
Consequences[edit | edit source]
The consequences of superparasitism can vary:
- **Intraspecific competition**: Larvae from the same species compete for limited resources within the host, which can lead to reduced survival rates.
- **Host immune response**: The host may mount a stronger immune response against multiple parasitoid larvae, potentially killing them.
- **Evolutionary implications**: Superparasitism can drive the evolution of parasitoid strategies, such as the development of mechanisms to suppress the host's immune response or to recognize already parasitized hosts.
Examples[edit | edit source]
Superparasitism is observed in various parasitoid species, including:
Related Concepts[edit | edit source]
- Multiparasitism: When a host is parasitized by multiple individuals of different parasitoid species.
- Hyperparasitism: When a parasitoid itself is parasitized by another parasitoid.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
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