Parameter: PARASITE_CONSUMER_STRATEGY

A consumer strategy for the parasite or other symbiont at its current life stage based on definitions in Lafferty & Kuris (2002) and Lafferty et al. (2015). Here, a parasite is defined as a consumer that feeds intimately on one host per life stage. True parasites are included in the consumer strategies "Castrator," "Macroparasite," and "Trophically_Transmitted_Macroparasite." Data users interested in parasites should filter for these consumer strategies. A "Castrator" is a parasite that blocks host reproduction. A "Macroparasite" is a parasite with intensity-dependent pathology. A "Trophically_Transmitted_Macroparasite" is a parasite that is transmitted to the next host via predation. Other consumer strategies that are not parasitic include "Commensal," "Egg Predator," and "Micropredator." A "Commensal" organism lives in close association with a host while not harming the host. An "Egg predator" feeds from brooded eggs on the host rather than directly on host tissue. A "Micropredator" is a predator that does not kill its prey. Missing data identifier NA (not applicable).