In parasitology, anthropophilia, from the Greek ἅνθρωπος (anthrōpos, "human being") and φιλία (philia, "friendship" or "love"), is a preference of a

parasite Parasitism is a close relationship between species, where one organism, the parasite, lives on or inside another organism, the host, causing it some harm, and is adapted structurally to this way of life. The entomologist E. O. Wilson has ...

dermatophyte Dermatophyte (from Greek '' derma'' "skin" ( GEN ''dermatos'') and ''phyton'' "plant") is a common label for a group of fungus of ''Arthrodermataceae'' that commonly causes skin disease in animals and humans. Traditionally, these anamorphic (a ...

for

human Humans (''Homo sapiens'') are the most abundant and widespread species of primate, characterized by bipedalism and exceptional cognitive skills due to a large and complex brain. This has enabled the development of advanced tools, culture, ...

s over other animals.Braun-Falco, Otto (2000). ''Dermatology'' Springer, Mouchet, Jean; Carnevale, Pierre; Manguin, Sylvie (2008). ''Biodiversity of Malaria in the World.'' John Libbey Eurotext, The related term ''endophilia'' refers specifically to a preference for being in human habitats, especially inside dwellings.Dronamraju, Krishna R.; Arese, Paolo (2005). ''Malaria: Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects.'' Birkhäuser, The term ''zoophilia'', in this context, describes animals which prefer non-human animals for nourishment. Most usage of the term ''anthropophilia'' refers to

hematophagous Hematophagy (sometimes spelled haematophagy or hematophagia) is the practice by certain animals of feeding on blood (from the Greek words αἷμα ' "blood" and φαγεῖν ' "to eat"). Since blood is a fluid tissue rich in nutritious p ...

insects (see ''

Anopheles ''Anopheles'' () is a genus of mosquito first described and named by J. W. Meigen in 1818. About 460 species are recognised; while over 100 can transmit human malaria, only 30–40 commonly transmit parasites of the genus ''Plasmodium'', which c ...

'') that prefer human bloodMaggenti, A.R. & Gardner, S. 2005. Online Dictionary of Invertebrate Zoology. http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/onlinedictinvertzoology/ over animal blood (zoophily, but see other meanings of

zoophily Zoophily, or zoogamy, is a form of pollination whereby pollen is transferred by animals, usually by invertebrates but in some cases vertebrates, particularly birds and bats, but also by other animals. Zoophilous species frequently have evolved ...

). Examples other than

haematophagy Hematophagy (sometimes spelled haematophagy or hematophagia) is the practice by certain animals of feeding on blood (from the Greek words αἷμα ' "blood" and φαγεῖν ' "to eat"). Since blood is a fluid tissue rich in nutritious pro ...

include geckoes that live close to humans, pied crows (''Corvus albus''),LeCorre, M. & Jouventin, P. 1997. Ecological significance and conservation priorities of Europa Island (western Indian Ocean), with special reference to seabirds. Rev. Ecol. (Terre Vie) 52(3), 205-220.

cockroaches Cockroaches (or roaches) are a paraphyletic group of insects belonging to Blattodea, containing all members of the group except termites. About 30 cockroach species out of 4,600 are associated with human habitats. Some species are well-known a ...

, and many others. In the study of

malaria Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...

and its disease vectors, researchers make the distinction between anthropophilic

mosquito Mosquitoes (or mosquitos) are members of a group of almost 3,600 species of small flies within the family Culicidae (from the Latin ''culex'' meaning " gnat"). The word "mosquito" (formed by ''mosca'' and diminutive ''-ito'') is Spanish for "li ...

es and other types as part of disease eradication efforts. Anthropic organisms are organisms that show anthropophily, where the adjective ''

synanthropic A synanthrope (from the Greek σύν ''syn'', "together with" + ἄνθρωπος ''anthropos'', "man") is a member of a species of wild animal or plant that lives near, and benefits from, an association with human beings and the somewhat artific ...

'' refers to organisms that live close to human settlements and houses, and eusynanthropic to those that live within human housing.Lincoln, R.J., Boxshall, G.A. & Clark, P.F. 1998. A dictionary of ecology, evolution, and systematics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; New York.

References

Biology terminology Parasites of humans Habitat {{parasite-stub

See also

References