noun
- an organism that lives on the external surface of another animal without harming it; an external parasite or commensal
Usage: biology; zoology
Examples
- Lice are epizoites that feed on the blood of their hosts.
- The biologist studied epizoites living on the skin of fish in the aquarium.
- Unlike endoparasites, epizoites remain on the outer surface of their host organisms.
- Fleas are common epizoites found on mammals and birds.
- The research focused on how epizoites adapt to life on different animal species.