noun
- Plural of epizoite; organisms that live on the external surface of an animal's body as parasites or commensals.
Usage: technical; biology
Examples
- The veterinarian examined the dog for epizoites such as fleas and ticks.
- Epizoites are organisms that depend on living on the skin or fur of their hosts.
- Marine biologists studied the epizoites attached to whale skin.
- Unlike endoparasites, epizoites do not burrow into the host's tissues.
- The presence of epizoites can cause irritation and infection in animals.