Horrifying Images Reveal Bizarre Parasite That Replaces Tongue of Its Fish Host and Feeds on Blood

Horrifying Images Reveal Bizarre Parasite That Replaces Tongue of Its Fish Host and Feeds on Blood

Source: newsweek

8/12/2020

A biologist made an unexpected discovery while researching fish heads—a bizarre parasitic crustacean that replaces the tongue of its host.

Kory Evans from Rice University in Houston spotted the strange parasite in an image of the skull of a herring cale—a species of ray-finned fish endemic to the waters off Australia.

Evans was scanning the fish as part of an ongoing project to study the 3D skull shape of wrasses—a group of nearly 500 marine fish species—using a technique known as micro-computed tomography (micro-CT).

Cicadas Emerge After 17 Years Underground, Bringing Killer Wasps
This Bizarre Parasitic 'Love Vine' Mummifies Wasps
This Parasitic, Stink Bug-Killing Wasp Has Been Named After Idris Elba

Newsweek subscription offers >

"Micro-CT scanning is basically a 3D X-ray that allows researchers to visualize the internal anatomy of organisms without the need for dissection," Evans told Newsweek. "So far we've scanned nearly 200 species.

"To compare shapes between specimens I placed digital landmarks at different points along the skull to allow for detailed comparison. I found the parasite while trying to place digital landmarks inside the mouth cavity of the fish.

Continue...

News Id		Source	Stamp	country
26	Why Kenyan Fishermen Are Planting Grass on Floor of Indian Ocean	kenyans	2024-10-26	KE
27	With another Colorado River deadline missed	thenewstribune	2024-11-03	US
28	Environmentalists Sue New York, New Jersey and Delaware Over Endangered Sturgeon	Associated Press	2024-10-24	US
29	Mining is back in Michigans Upper Peninsula	greatlakesnow	2024-10-30	US
30	Alaska salmon fishery cleared for Marine Stewardship Council recertification	intrafish	2024-10-29	CA
31	Fishing group, N.S. fisherman happy with Canada-France halibut deal	CBC News	2024-09-24	CA
32	With Annual Fall Trout Stocking in White Clay Creek	einnews	2024-11-01	US
33	Crocodile-like creatures found breeding in rice field in China	miamiherald	2024-10-31	CN
34	Paddling, hiking, hunting - even fishing a secluded trout stream	einnews	2024-10-31	US
35	Could improvements in Chicago waterways invite unwelcome guests?	greatlakesnow	2024-10-29	US
36	Norwegian farmers urged to consider culling salmon as deadly jellyfish appear	thefishsite	2024-10-31	NO
37	The innovative solutions being used to tackle sea lice on salmon farms	thefishsite	2024-10-30	NO
38	Luthier builds electric guitar that doubles as a fish tank – and it plays surprisingly well	guitar	2024-10-08	US
39	Rapid predator-prey balance shift follows critical-population-density transmission between cod	nature	2024-10-29	NO
40	Colder water brings increased danger for boaters, paddlers as winter approaches	echopress	2024-10-23	US
41	Virginia floating pier nears completion	echopress	2024-10-28	US
42	fisheries supervisor floats introducing muskie to Kandiyohi County lake	echopress	2024-10-18	US
43	Chasing Winnipesaukee Landlocked Salmon	indepthnh	2024-10-28	US
44	Canadian government awards CAD 830,000 for Quebec fisheries projects	seafoodsource	2024-10-24	CA
45	MDC to stock nearly 10,400 rainbow trout in five urban lakes	einnews	2024-10-28	US
46	Americans fined $8K for illegal fishing in Canadian waters	CTV News	2024-10-25	CA
47	Surfer Giulia Manfrini dies after being impaled by a needlefish in Indonesia	9news	2024-10-22	AU
48	Giant Fish Thought to Be Extinct Is Spotted in the Mekong River	Associated Press	2024-10-22	CO
49	The tilapia hatchery that runs in the family	thefishsite	2024-08-28	EG
50	Puffer has lived 2 lifetimes at Everett library	heraldnet	2024-10-28	US