Cymothoa exigua, a tongue-biting louse, thrives in the east Pacific and has inspired horror due to its strange life cycle. This aquatic parasite attaches to fish tongues, feeding off their tissue and effectively taking over the tongue's function. Unlike traditional parasites, Cymothoa exigua keeps its host alive while benefiting from its nutrients. Nominated by Russell Yong for the Guardian's invertebrate of the year, this creature is not only unique but also holds significant ecological importance despite its unsettling appearance. Its biology and adaptedness make it a fascinating subject of study.
Cymothoa exigua, the tongue-biting louse, exemplifies a unique niche in the marine ecosystem, functioning as a parasite that replaces a fish's tongue while keeping it alive.
Russell Yong, the creature's nominator, emphasizes that despite its unsettling nature, Cymothoa exigua plays an important ecological role and has intriguing biological traits.
Collection
[
|
...
]