Ecology
Parasitism
A relationship where one organism (the parasite) benefits at the expense of another (the host), typically living on or in the host and causing harm but usually not immediate death.
Biological Context
Parasites include viruses, bacteria, fungi, protozoa, worms, and insects. They often have complex life cycles involving multiple hosts. Parasites can profoundly affect host behavior, evolution, and population dynamics. Parasitism is thought to be the most common lifestyle among animal species.
Business Application
Business parasitism includes bad-faith partners, fraudulent vendors, and employees who extract value without contributing. Unlike predators, parasites prefer hosts that survive.