This little story is true. This particular isopod, Cymothoa exigua, or "Tongue Louse" eats away a fish's tongue and then becomes the tongue. Pretty gross, eh? It's the only case of a parasite that becomes a working part of the host's functioning anatomy.
If you want to learn more (and why wouldn't you?) this Animal Planet article has more info, and some really disgusting photos of the tongue louse in action. Click it if you dare.
One more day in Isopod Week. What will it bring? How could we possibly top the epic of Chuck?
Casey and I discussed this: what happens when the louse wants to reproduce? Does it leave? Does the snapper starve to death? What a louse!
ReplyDeleteEWWWWWWWWWW!!!! Oh well. It's interesting, and now I can gross my friends out more! Yay!!!!
ReplyDeleteUgh! Gave me chills :). Great story though. I looked forward to reading the comic strip each day!
ReplyDeleteThat is impressively disgusting.
ReplyDeleteI had red snapper for lunch today! Didn't see any isopods, though. The snapper was delicious, I can see why an ipod would want to eat its tongue.
ReplyDeleteOH COOL! I looked at the artical, and it's really neat! My bro. and sis. freaked out! I love how they show they lovely fish. (:
ReplyDeleteMy word verification says "obpheus" so I'll state the obvious. From now on instead of saying 'cat got your tongue?' it should be said, 'isopod got your tongue?'
ReplyDelete