definitive host

• Terme biologique désignant l'organisme dans lequel un parasite atteint sa maturité sexuelle et se reproduit, étant souvent l'hôte final dans le cycle de vie du parasite.

A biological term referring to the organism in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces, often the final host in a parasite's life cycle.

1. Final host in a parasite's life cycleC2formal

   The host organism in which a parasite reaches sexual maturity and reproduces.

   hôte définitif

   • The human is the definitive host for the tapeworm Taenia solium.
   • In the life cycle of the malaria parasite, the mosquito is the definitive host.
   • The definitive host for the liver fluke is a mammal, such as a sheep or cow.