Difference between predation and parasitism

The main difference between predation and parasitism is that in predation the predator captures and kills the prey, while in parasitism the parasite benefits from the host and sometimes does not kill the host.

Predation versus parasitism

Predation discusses the act of predating one species from another species, while parasitism discusses the readiness to live as a parasite in or with another organism. Predation occurs between prey and a predator, while parasitism is the association between a host and a parasite. Predation is the absence of a metabolic dependence on prey; on the other hand, parasitism is the metabolic dependence of the host organism. Predation can have several types of prey; on the contrary, parasitism is a very precise relationship between parasite and host. In predation, the predator uses intense and very active physical effort to catch the prey; on the other hand, in parasitism, the parasite is usually passive in its development. The predator is normally stronger and larger than the prey in predation, while the parasite is smaller than the host in parasitism. The Predator immediately captures and kills the prey, whereas the parasite does not immediately kill the host. In predation, predator and prey are independent life cycles of each other; on the other hand, the parasite needs and depends on the host to complete its life cycle.

Comparative chart

Predation is the connection between a predator and a prey in which the predator immediately catches and kills the prey for food and energy. It is also the relationship that positively affects the predator and negatively affects the prey. Predation does not take refuge from prey instead of taking refuge from them. Predation is a source of population control. It also plays its role in the transfer of energy through the trophic levels. Predation provides energy to the predator and prolongs its life and increases its chances of promoting its reproduction. Not all predators are animals, but some carnivorous plants are too, such as the pitcher plant and the Venus flytrap. Predator first actively searches for its prey. When it detects the prey, the predator judges whether to attack, and when the attack is successful, the predator immediately captures and kills the prey and eats all its edible parts. Predator is highly specialized to hunt with adapted acute senses such as smell, sight or hearing. In predation, the predator does not take refuge from the prey and there is an absence of metabolic dependence on the prey. Predation can have several types of prey. The predator uses intense and very active physical effort to catch the prey. The predator is normally stronger and larger than the predatory prey. The predator uses intense and very active physical effort to catch the prey. The predator is normally stronger and larger than the predatory prey. The predator uses intense and very active physical effort to catch the prey.

Bear and fish, lion and zebra, tiger and deer, foxes and rabbits, etc.

What is parasitism?

Parasitism is the close association between two different species, which is harmful to one (host) and beneficial to others (parasite). A parasite obtains shelter and food from the host. In parasitism, the parasite obtains nutrients from the host and, as a result, the health of the host decreases. While in extreme cases, the parasite can cause disease in the host. The parasite takes refuge, grows and feeds on the host, so this relationship is detrimental to the hosts. Sometimes the parasite does not kill the host and some may end up killing. These are pathogenic parasites. The parasite is smaller than the host in parasitism.

Types of parasites

• Endoparasites: parasites that tend to live within the body of their host. For example, tapeworms, flukes, bacteria, etc.
• Ectoparasites: parasites that tend to feed on and live outside the body of their host. For example, plants, bacteria, lice, etc.

Examples

Tapeworms in cows, lice in humans, mosquitoes in animals, etc.

Key differences

1. Predation discusses the act of predating one species from another species, while parasitism discusses the readiness to live as a parasite in or with another organism.
2. Predation occurs between prey and a predator, while parasitism is the association between a host and a parasite.
3. Predation is the absence of a metabolic dependence on prey; on the other hand, parasitism is the metabolic dependence of the host organism.
4. Predation can have several types of prey; on the contrary, parasitism is a very precise relationship between parasite and host.
5. In predation, the predator uses intense and very active physical effort to catch the prey; on the other hand, in parasitism, the parasite is usually passive in its development.
6. The Predator immediately captures and kills the prey, whereas the parasite does not immediately kill the host.
7. The predator is normally stronger and larger than the prey in predation, while the parasite is smaller than the host in parasitism.
8. In predation, predator and prey are independent life cycles of each other; on the other hand, the parasite needs and depends on the host to complete its life cycle.

The above discussion concludes that in predation the predator captures and kills the prey, while in parasitism the parasite benefits from the host and sometimes does not kill the host.