In response to Zelmer
The term "endo-symbiotic" as a synonym of
"not-free-living" of course does not
include "ecto-symbionts". Therefore, if we
are to use some form of it the correct term
is "endo/ecto-symbiotic" a rather contrived
word. "Endo/ecto-symbiont" does not seem to
have many, if any advantages over the word
"parasite".
Whether the word "parasite" should be a
synonym of "pathogen" or "not-free-living"
or for that matter of something else is
only of moderate interest. I have no
objections or even concerns that the word
will continue to be used in various ways by
different people. It does not really matter
what word is applied to what concept. What
matters, of course, is that the concepts be
clear and useful to the discipline. To me
the importance of defining the word
"parasite" is to explicate or to further
understand the concept of parasite.
As I have alluded to before: If we are to
learn anything of value from an excercise
in defining "parasite" it should be an
empirical endeavor. We should begin an
explication of the concept of "parasite"
from an examination of those things that
parasitologists study. The common
attributes of those organisms should form
the initial definition. The common
attribute, it appears to me, is the use of
a living organism as a habitat not the
harmful nature of the organisms.
Now, it may be appropriate to call the
things that parasitologists study
"endo/ecto symbionts" or for that matter
"rutabagas." However, regardless of what we
call them the things that parasitoligists
study are organisms that are
"not-free-living." That is the way that
most parasitologists use the term in their
work and it is this aspect of their nature
that holds the discipline of parasitology
together. It is what being parasitic is all
about.
The concern over confusion that might ensue
by using "parasite" for "not-free-living"
may stem from the assumption that I am
suggesting that we change the definition of
parasite from "pathogen" to "not
free-living." However, "parasite" is more
often used in the sense of
"not-free-living" than it is as a synonym
of "pathogen", at least among those that
call themselves "parasitologists."
--
Jeffrey M. Lotz Phone (601) 872-4247
Gulf Coast Research Lab Fax (601) 872-4204
P.O. Box 7000 Internet: jLotz at medea.gp.usm.edu
Ocean Springs, MS 39566-7000 USA
