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phoresy
phoresy A method of dispersal in which an animal attaches itself to an animal of another species in order to be transported to a new site, where it releases itself, with little or no harm to the carrier. This method is adopted by various animals searching for new food sources, or by parasites when seeking a new host. For example, when their host dies, certain bird lice may attach themselves to blood-sucking flies in their effort to find a new avian host, and some insect parasitoids, which lay their eggs inside the eggs of other insects, attach themselves to adults of the host species to ensure immediate access to the eggs when the adult host lays them. Eggs may also be transferred in this manner. The Neotropical human bot fly, Dermatobia hominis, `captures' a suitable carrier, such as a blood-sucking mosquito, to which it attaches 30 or so of its eggs. When the carrier insect reaches a human or bovine host, the bot fly eggs quickly hatch and the larvae release themselves from the carrier and invade the hair follicles of their host, where they develop.
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"phoresy." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-phoresy.html "phoresy." A Dictionary of Biology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O6-phoresy.html |
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phoresy
phoresy A method of dispersal in which an animal clings to the body of a much larger animal of another species and is carried some distance before releasing its grip and falling.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-phoresy.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Ecology. 2004. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O14-phoresy.html |
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phoresy
phoresy A method of dispersal in which an animal clings to the body of a much larger animal of another species and is carried some distance before releasing its grip and falling.
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Cite this article
MICHAEL ALLABY. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. 30 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. MICHAEL ALLABY. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Encyclopedia.com. (May 30, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-phoresy.html MICHAEL ALLABY. "phoresy." A Dictionary of Zoology. 1999. Retrieved May 30, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O8-phoresy.html |
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