(warning disturbing)why you shouldn't swim off the shore of jersey

[Eastoff]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymothoa_exigua

Cymothoa exigua or the Tongue eating louse is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cymothoidae. It tends to be 3 to 4 cm long. This parasite enters through the gills, and then attaches itself at the base of the spotted rose snapper's (Lutjanus guttatus) tongue. It then proceeds to extract blood through the claws on its front three pairs of legs. As the parasite grows, less and less blood reaches the tongue, and eventually the organ atrophies from lack of blood. The parasite then replaces the fish's tongue by attaching its own body to the muscles of the tongue stub. The fish is able to use the parasite just like a normal tongue. It appears that the parasite does not cause any other damage to the host fish.[1] Once C. exigua replaces the tongue, some feed on the host's blood and many others feed on fish mucus. They do not eat scraps of the fish's food.[2] This is the only known case of a parasite functionally replacing a host organ.[3] It is currently believed that C. exigua are not harmful to humans unless picked up alive, in which case they can bite.[4]

 

[Buzz Killington]

not as bad as:

 

[Wheels]

that is F'ed up!!!!!

 

[Eastoff]

that is F'ed up!!!!!

yeah those Guidos are gross! I don't see what women see in them.

 

[Colonel Ronan]

AHHHHHHHHHHHHH FUCK THAT

 

[The_Lillard_King]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymothoa_exigua

is currently believed that C. exigua are not harmful to humans unless picked up alive, in which case they can bite





Looks like this researcher just got bit by one of those . . . maybe that one.

 

[BenDavis503]

Wow that is nasty. So is the bug.

 

[speeds]

Kill it with fire! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

 

[Chutney]

As frighteningly disgusting that picture is, the idea of a parasite replacing an animals organ without actually killing it is pretty wild.

 

[Shapecity]

As frighteningly disgusting that picture is, the idea of a parasite replacing an animals organ without actually killing it is pretty wild.

Yeah that's pretty crazy. That parasite reminds of Alien.

 

[Nate4Prez]

Creepiest part to me is that the top picture makes it appear this fish has human teeth.

 

[barfo]

There's a very similar parasite, but with much, much sharper teeth, that eats away and replaces the human cervix.

barfo

 

[Eastoff]

There's a very similar parasite, but with much, much sharper teeth, that eats away and replaces the human cervix.

barfo

OH GOD YOU"RE RIGHT! look what I found

 

[speeds]

Kill it with fire! KILL IT WITH FIRE!

 

[Colonel Ronan]

AHH WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT

 

[maxiep]

As someone who spent the summers of my youth at the Jersey Shore swimming and trolling for fluke, words can't explain how much that bums me out.