Guybrush

Heya!

I thought I'd do something about the lack of biology related threads on MB and tried to think of something that would have common appeal. Most people have a gross fascination with parasites, so why not make a thread about those? Thus, I present to you my parasite thread! Feel free to mention or post about your favourite parasites! I'm not an expert, but since I'm a graduate biology student, I should be able to answer some questions should you have them.

Here's comes the first one :








Let's start out nice and easy. Cymothoa exigua is an isopod which means it's a relative of the common terrestrial woodlice. By far, most isopods live in water where they've adapted to different ways of feeding and some have become parasitic. This one removes it's host's tongue, then it attaches itself where the tongue used to be and steals a bit of whatever it is the host tries to eat. The fish host is essentially helpless as the isopod eats it's tongue and makes a living for himself in it's mouth ..

Neat, huh?

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