Synanthrope

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. An organism that thrives in human-modified environments and benefits from human activity, such as rats, pigeons, or cockroaches living in cities
2. A creature that flourishes in spaces shaped by human activity and gains sustenance or shelter from human presence or refuse
3. An animal species that has adapted to exploit the resources and habitats created by or associated with human settlements and structures

Etymology: Its parts are plainly Greek: "syn," meaning "together" or "with," and "anthropos," meaning "human being." Together they describe a creature that keeps company with people. Ancient Greeks never used it. It is a modern scientific coinage built from classical roots, the same method that produced many biological terms. The pattern matches "commensal," which ecologists borrowed from Medieval Latin "commensalis," literally "sharing a table," from "com-" plus "mensa." Both words name species that live off human food waste, grain stores, and buildings. Rats, house sparrows, pigeons, cockroaches, and houseflies are classic examples. The label is not limited to animals. Plants such as dandelions and chickweed that thrive in gardens and along roadsides are also described this way.