Question

What are ectoparasites and endoparasites? List any three parasite adaptations.

Answer 1

Ectoparasites: These are the parasites which live on the outside of host. For example, human body lice.

Endoparasites: These are the parasites which live in the digestive tract, body cavities, various organs, or blood or other tissues of the host. For example, Plasmodium.

Many parasites have evolved to be host specific in such a way that both host and parasite tends to coevolve i.e. if the host evolves special mechanism for rejecting or resisting the parasite, the parasite has to evolve the mechanism to counteract and neutralise them, in order to be successful to the same host species. In accordance with the their lifestyle, parasites evolved special adaptations such as:

(a) Loss of unnecessary sense organs.

(b) Presence of adhesive organs or suckers to cling on to the host.

(c) Loss of digestive system.

(d) High reproductive capacity.