heteroecious

/ ˌhɛtəˈriːʃəs /

adjective

1. (of parasites, esp rust fungi) undergoing different stages of the life cycle on different host species Compare autoecious

heteroecious

1. Relating to a parasite that spends different stages of its life cycle on different, usually unrelated hosts. The term is used especially of certain kinds of rust fungi, but may also be applied to other parasites like tapeworms.

2. Compare autoecious

Other Word Forms

• heteroecism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of heteroecious¹

from _hetero- + -oecious, from Greek oikia house

Example Sentences

One species, S. heteroica, is heteroecious; the ascospores infecting the leaves of Vaccinium uliginosum, while the conidia which then arise infect only Ledum palustre.

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