epizoon

== English == === Etymology === From epi- +‎ -zoon. === Noun === epizoon (plural epizoa or epizoons) (biology) A microorganism (such as a yeast-type fungus or a protozoon) that grows on the surface of an animal host, as: (usually) In a nonparasitic way, using an animal's skin as a microhabitat. (less commonly) In a parasitic way, as an external parasite. ==== Hypernyms ==== epibiont ==== Coordinate terms ==== epiphyte ==== Related terms ==== epizoic epizooic