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In this Wormbook chapter, Kiontke says that some Caenorhabditis species live "pseudoparasitically" on warm-blooded animals. What does it mean? What is a pseudoparasite? I understand a parasite to be in association with a host where the relationship is beneficial for the parasite and harmful for the host. How is pseudoparasitism defined?
I have found several definition:
Something in the blood that is mistaken for a parasite: not applicable to Ceanorhabditis as no Caenorhabditis has ever been found alive in blood
A false parasite; may be either a commensal or a temporary parasite (the latter is an organism accidentally ingested and surviving briefly in the intestine): could be this
an object or organism that resembles or is mistaken for a parasite: could be this
- interpreted to be parasitic but not actually parasitic: could be this
- This definition actually sounds like the definition of a parasite and only applies to invertebrates, so not applicable to Ceanorhabditis
In conclusion, I would say that some Caenorhabditis are pseudoparasitic of warm-blooded animals, which means they are commensal and cause no harm. However, I don't see the point of saying they are pseudoparasitic. I would rather just say commensal.
