The Missing Link

Question 1

Why are parasites routinely left out of food webs?

Answer 1

• Small and cryptic
• Difficult to identify
• Difficult to quantify
• Assumed to have negligible biomass.

Question 2

What is the difference between a parasite and a parasitoid?

Answer 2

A parasitoid kills its host, a parasite does not.

Question 3

What is the difference between a macroparasite and a microparasite?

Answer 3

Macroparasites are visible to the naked eye unlike microparasites.