Dictionary > Paratenic host

Paratenic host

Definition
noun, plural: paratenic hosts
An intermediate host which is not needed for the development of the parasite, but nonetheless serves to maintain the life cycle of the parasite.
Supplement
The difference between a paratenic and reservoir host is that the reservoir host is a primary host, whereas paratenic host serves as “dumps” for non-mature stages of a parasite which they can accumulate in high numbers.
Compare: reservoir host


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