epizoan

Other forms: epizoa

Definitions of epizoan

1. noun

   any external parasitic organism (as fleas)
   synonyms: ectoparasite, ectozoan, ectozoon, epizoon

   types:

   flea

   any wingless bloodsucking parasitic insect noted for ability to leap

   Pulex irritans

   the most common flea attacking humans

   Ctenocephalides canis, dog flea

   flea that attacks dogs and cats

   Ctenocephalides felis, cat flea

   flea that breeds chiefly on cats and dogs and rats

   Tunga penetrans, chigger, chigoe, chigoe flea

   small tropical flea; the fertile female burrows under the skin of the host including humans

   Echidnophaga gallinacea, sticktight, sticktight flea

   parasitic on especially the heads of chickens

   type of:

   parasite

   an animal or plant that lives in or on a host (another animal or plant); it obtains nourishment from the host without benefiting or killing the host
2. adjective

   of or relating to epizoa
   synonyms: ectozoan