Host, host or host R is the term referring to the living organism that has, receives or provides subsistence conditions for a parasite as protection, food, growth stimulus or hormonal stimulation for sexual maturation (Cruz-Reyes & Camargo-Camargo, 2001, p. 123) (Oxford-Complutense Dictionaries, 2004, page 355). Guests can be either animals or plants.
Given the ambiguity of the term, some people prefer to use the terms host, host, or host (Lexicoon, 2017), since usually host refers to the host in the home of others (Real Academia Española, 2017) and not host host Visitor or guest.
It is important to mention that the invading organism always establishes a relation of dependence with in the host / host / host that has it or it carries it.
Depending on the type of interaction and utility (in the case of parasites), different effects occur. The Branch of biology Which studies the hosts of the parasites is called Xenology .
Types of biological interactions
The Biological interactions Are the effects that the organisms of an ecosystemic community exert on another.
Interactive relationships between populations of different species form the interactive community network (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017).
The spectrum of these interactions ranges from Antagonistic until cooperative , Causing positive, negative or neutral effects among the species involved (Encyclopedia Britannica, 2017).
Likewise, the interactions can be Intraspecific (When individuals are of the same species) or Interspecific (Individuals of different species).
The Antagonistic interactions Occur when one or both species involved, end up being harmed. They are as follows:
1- Competition
Two species of parasites dispute the same resource. Example: Lactobacillus acidophilus against harmful bacteria.
2- Predation
One microscopic species feeds on another. Example: Phagocytosis
3- Parasitism
The host ends up harmed and the parasite benefits. Example: HIV in humans
4- Amensalism
Harmful interaction for one or neutral for another. Example: Species of bifidobacteria against intestinal pathogens.
The Beneficial or synergistic relationships Are contrary to the previous ones and the species in question receive a benefit from this relationship. They include:
1- Mutualism or symbiosis
It is the interaction of two or more species in which the one can not live without the other, benefit from the association and improve its biological fitness. Example: Rhizobium nodules in leguminous plants.
2- Commensalism or protocooperation
Relationship in which the associated species end up benefited but do not need each other to live. Example: Maize infected by the fungus Ustilago maydis or the intestinal flora in the human being.
The Neutral For their part do not report neither benefit nor prejudice to the communities involved. In other words, the neutralism Is the symbiotic association in which none of the populations living together are affected in their interrelation. (Samiento, 1974, p.146).
Biological interactions are not static but in continual change. This is due to the fact that natural selection continually redefines them according to the relationships between prey and predators, defenses and counter-fights of the species' immune systems, and evolutionary processes are being developed.
Types of hosts
1- Definitive H., h. End, h. Primary u. terminal
It is an essential host for the parasite because it shelters it in its adult stage and reaches the sexual maturity to reproduce or to be fertilized (Cruz-Reyes & Camargo-Camargo, 2001, page 123) (Duve Institute, 2017). In him he spends most of his life.
2- Intermediate H. or h. secondary
All that is essential for the life cycle of the parasite because it welcomes him in some or all of the larval stages.
It is in these hosts that the parasites reproduce asexually (Oxford-Complutense Dictionaries, 2004, p.355). In turn, it is divided into liabilities and assets.
3- Intermediate H. or h. secondary
All that is essential for the life cycle of the parasite because it welcomes him in some or all of the larval stages.
It is in these hosts that the parasites reproduce asexually (Oxford-Complutense Dictionaries, 2004, p.355). In turn, it is divided into liabilities and assets.
4- Normal H., h. Natural, h. Homologue or h. typical
It is the default host in which the parasite lives, that is, usually stays there and develops in natural conditions to fulfill its life cycle.
5- abnormal H., h. Aberrant uh. accidental
It is the host in the parasite not commonly residing by insufficient conditions for the full development of its life cycle. Normally this type leads to the death of the parasite.
6- Specific H.
It is the host of a particular species from which the parasite depends.
7- H. Facticio
It is the host that can not be possessed in natural conditions due to ecological barriers (Cruz-Reyes & Camargo-Camargo, 2001, p 123).
8- heterologous H.
It is the non-habitual host that can harbor the parasite but not in optimal conditions.
9- Paratenic host u. Of transport
That intermediate carrier in which it remains in a larval state, without completing its development but serves as a vehicle to reach its final destination: the definitive host.
10- Amphiparatenic H.
Host that can serve as final host and paratenic host.
Reservoir
It is the place outside the host (living organism or inert being) where the microorganism survives, can reproduce itself and from where it can infect its host. This receptor, if it is alive, does not show clinical signs and symptoms.
An example of a living reservoir is the protozoan responsible for malaria, which inhabits the mosquito, feeds on some of its nutrients but does not cause the disease to develop.
The example of an inert reservoir is the case of a dirty food dish, in which many bacteria are housed and reproduced but do not infect the dish per se.
Some scientists call it Host / Reservoir host and include it as a host type; But other academics indicate it as a separate category since, in order to be considered a guest, it must always be a living organism, thus excluding inert beings. Thus, this definition would be partially fulfilled.
Vector
It is another concept subject settled in the academic community since, for some, it is the same that we defined as host Paraténico or transport host and for others, it does not belong to the guests but an element of the ecological triad that fulfills the function of transmitting The microorganism to its final or final host.
References
- Of Duve Institute. (2017, 77). Types of host. Retrieved from De Duve Institute: deduveinstitute.be.
- Cruz-Reyes, A., & Camargo-Camargo, B. (2001). Glossary of terms in Parasitology and related sciences. Mexico City: Plaza and Valdés.
Oxford-Complutense Dictionaries. (2004). Dictionary of Biology. Madrid: Editorial Complutense. - Encyclopedia Britannica. (2017, 77). Community equilibrium and species diversity. Retrieved from Encyclopedia Britannica: britannica.com.
- Encyclopedia.com. (2017, 77). Parasites. Recovered from Encyplopedia.com.
- Lexicoon. (2017, 77). Guest (Biology). Recollection of Lexicoon. English dictionary: lexicoon.org.
- Royal Spanish Academy. (2017, 77). Host, gives. Retrieved from Dictionary of the Spanish language: dle.rae.es.
- Samiento, F. (1974). Dictionary of Ecology: landscapes, conservation and sustainable development for Latin America. Quito: Fernando Vera and José Juncosa.