epizoon

See also: epizoön

English

Etymology

From epi- +‎ -zoon.

Noun

epizoon (plural epizoons or epizoa)

1. (biology) A microorganism (such as a yeast-type fungus or a protozoon) that grows on the surface of an animal host, as:
   1. (usually) In a nonparasitic way, using an animal's skin as a microhabitat.
   2. (less commonly) In a parasitic way, as an external parasite.

Hypernyms

• epibiont

Coordinate terms

• epiphyte

Related terms

• epizoic
• epizooic