Tuesday, September 8, 2009

Random Thoughts: Cymothoa exigua: Alien!


Random Thoughts: Cymothoa exigua: Alien!: "Cymothoa exigua is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cymothoidae. This parasite attaches itself at the base of the tongue of the Spotted rose snapper, Lutjanus guttatus, with the claws on its front three pairs of legs, and extracts blood. As the parasite grows, less and less blood is able to reach the tongue, and eventually the organ atrophies from lack of blood. The parasite then replaces the fish's tongue with its own body, by attaching to the muscles of the tongue stub."

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is remarkable! I've heard about this but never seen an image. Totally amazing. Thanks for posting.

Lyonda Shafira H. said...

Hi Pat, Does this parasite does this to people as well or just animals? If only to specific living things, can name some? Thank you.