Definition

The condition where one type of parasite infests another parasite, or when multiple parasites of the same kind infect a single host.

Example

Superparasitism can lead to increased competition among parasites for resources within the host.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term superparasitism?

Yeah, I read about it in a biology article recently.

It's fascinating how one parasite can infest another, right?

Absolutely! Nature has some wild interactions like that.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Superparasitism is formed from "super-" (meaning above or over) and "parasitism" (from Greek "parasitos" meaning one who eats at another's table, and "-ism" indicating a condition or practice). The term refers to a condition where a parasite itself is parasitized by another parasite, hence being 'over' or 'above' in the parasitic hierarchy.

Memory Tip

Think of 'super-' meaning 'above' and 'parasitism' as the condition of living off another. This helps you remember that superparasitism refers to a situation where one parasite lives off another.

Visually Confused Words