Heteroecious
A heteroecious parasite is one that requires at least two hosts. The primary host is the host in which the parasite spends its adult life; the other is the secondary host. Both hosts are required for the parasite to complete its life cycle. This can be contrasted with an autoecious parasite which can complete its life cycle on a single host species. Many rust fungi have heteroecious life cycles:
In parasitology, heteroxeny, or heteroxenous development, is a synonymous term that characterizes a parasite whose development involves several hosts.
Fungal examples
Gymnosporangium : the juniper is the primary host and the apple, pear or hawthorn is the secondary host.Cronartium ribicola : the primary host are white pines, and currants the secondary.Hemileia vastatrix : the primary host is coffee plant, and the alternate host is unknown.Puccinia graminis : the primary hosts include Kentucky bluegrass, barley, and wheat; barberry is the alternate host.- Puccinia coronata var. avenae : Oats are the primary host; Rhamnus spp. are the alternate hosts.Phakopsora meibomiae and P. pachyrhizi : the primary host is soybean and various legumes. The alternate host is unknown.Puccinia porri : autoecious