Heteroeciousness

/ˌhetərɪˈiːʃəsnəs/ noun

Definition

The quality or state of requiring multiple host organisms to complete a life cycle; the characteristic of heteroecism.

Etymology

Heteroecious plus the noun suffix -ness. A technical term used in parasitology and plant pathology to describe the complexity of certain organisms' life cycles.

Kelly Says

The heteroeciousness of certain plant pathogens makes them hard to control because eliminating one host doesn't help if the other host still exists—disease management requires understanding this two-host dependency.

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