In
parasitology, anthropophilia, from the Greek ἅνθρωπος (anthrōpos, "human being") and φιλία (philia, "friendship" or "love"), is a preference of a
parasite or
dermatophyte for
humans over other animals.[1][2] The related term endophilia refers specifically to a preference for being in human habitats, especially inside dwellings.[3] The term zoophilia, in this context, describes animals which prefer non-human animals for nourishment.[4]
Most usage of the term anthropophilia refers to
hematophagous insects (see Anopheles) that prefer human blood[5] over animal blood (zoophily, but see other meanings of
zoophily). Examples other than
haematophagy include geckoes that live close to humans,[6]pied crows (Corvus albus),[7]cockroaches, and many others. In the study of
malaria and its
disease vectors, researchers make the distinction between anthropophilic
mosquitoes and other types as part of disease eradication efforts.[8]
Anthropic organisms are organisms that show anthropophily, where the adjective synanthropic refers to organisms that live close to human settlements and houses, and eusynanthropic to those that live within human housing.[9]
^Mouchet, Jean; Carnevale, Pierre; Manguin, Sylvie (2008). Biodiversity of Malaria in the World. John Libbey Eurotext,
ISBN9782742006168
^Dronamraju, Krishna R.; Arese, Paolo (2005). Malaria: Genetic and Evolutionary Aspects. Birkhäuser,
ISBN9780387282947
^Apiwathnasorn, C.; Sucharit, S.; Surathin, K.; Deesin, T. (1993). "Anthropophilic and zoophilic phlebotomine sand flies (Diptera, Psychodidae) from Thailand". Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 9 (2): 135–137.
PMID8350067.
^Ineich, I. 1992. Parthenogenesis in the Gekkonidae (Reptilia, Lacertilia): Origin and evolution. Bull. Soc. Zool. Fr.-Evol. Zool. 117(3), 253-266.
^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.
^Robert, V.; Le Goff, G.; Toto, J. C.; Mulder, L.; Fondjo, E.; Manga, L.; Carnevale, P. (1993). "Anthropophilic mosquitoes and malaria transmission at Edea, Cameroon". Tropical Medicine and Parasitology. 44 (1): 14–18.
PMID8100084.
^Lincoln, R.J., Boxshall, G.A. & Clark, P.F. 1998. A dictionary of ecology, evolution, and systematics. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge; New York.