The Tongue-Eating Parasite Cymothoa exigua: How It Replaces Fish Tongues
By
thunderbong
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
The article explores the fascinating and gruesome parasitic relationship between Cymothoa exigua, a tongue-eating louse, and its fish hosts. This parasite enters a fish's mouth through the gills, attaches to the tongue, and gradually consumes it while taking over the tongue's function. The article details the parasite's life cycle, its impact on fish hosts, and the scientific understanding of this unique parasitic adaptation. It also discusses how the parasite affects different fish species and the broader ecological implications of such specialized parasites.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledCymothoa exigua will make you feel very glad you're not a fish.
This white trevally has had its tongue eaten by a parasitic louse, Cymothoa exigua.
Parasite got your tongue?
The parasite enters through the gills, attaches to the tongue, and gradually consumes it while taking over the tongue's function.
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