Imagine your tongue, replaced by this ...

[kenny]

Cymothoa exigua, or the tongue-eating louse, is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cymothoidae.
It tends to be 3 to 4 centimetres (1.2 to 1.6 in) long.

This parasite enters through the gills, and then attaches itself at the base of the spotted rose snapper's (Lutjanus guttatus) tongue.
It extracts blood through the claws on its front, causing the tongue to atrophy 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.

Once C. exigua replaces the tongue, some feed on the host's blood and many others feed on fish mucus.
This is the only known case of a parasite functionally replacing a host organ.
It is currently believed that C. exigua are not harmful to humans unless picked up alive, in which case they can bite.

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

 

[luv2sparkle]

That is totally gross. I will probably have nightmares about that one Kenny. EEWW..

 

[Italiahaircolor]

You enlighten me to the most random (and disturbingly disgusting) stuff.

 

[mrscushion]

Wow. How fascinating is that.

 

[Gothgrrl]

I didn't know fish have tongues. I learn something new everyday.

 

[VapidLapid]

I am sorry to know this now

 

[yssie]

 

[dragonfly411]

KENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not sleeping tonight.

 

[poshpepper]

Very interesting!!! A bit disturbing looking, but pretty cool how that all works out for both organisms.

 

[ForteKitty]

imagine if this happened to humans.. you reach over to give your SO a kiss.. and *crunch*

 

[Tuckins1]

Eeeew!Ewewewewew!!!! That's totally disgusting!

 

[Autumnovember]

 

[Lula]

A perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. But gross, nonetheless.

 

[kenny]

A perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. But gross, nonetheless.

I'm not sure this would be symbiotic, since the fish does not actually benefit from having this parasite function as a tongue.
I think symbiotic means there is an advantage to both.

You might argue the critter does provide benefit to a tongue-less fish by functioning as a tongue but the critter destroyed the fish's tongue.
Hmm.
Kind of a Zen Koan, maybe.

It is cool though.
Gross, but cool.

 

[VapidLapid]

A perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. But gross, nonetheless.

I'm not sure this would be symbiotic, since the fish does not actually benefit from having this parasite function as a tongue.
I think symbiotic requires an advantage to each partner.

You might argue the critter does provide benefit to a tongue-less fish by functioning as a tongue but the critter destroyed the fish's tongue.
Hmm.
Kind of a Zen Koan, maybe.

It is cool though.
Gross, but cool.

symbiotic? more like Münchhausen

 

[kagordo4]

A perfect example of a symbiotic relationship. But gross, nonetheless.

I'm not sure this would be symbiotic, since the fish does not actually benefit from having this parasite function as a tongue.
I think symbiotic requires an advantage to each partner.

You might argue the critter does provide benefit to a tongue-less fish by functioning as a tongue but the critter destroyed the fish's tongue.
Hmm.
Kind of a Zen Koan, maybe.

It is cool though.
Gross, but cool.

I think it's just parastic. I mean parasite eats the fish's tounge.
It's pretty awesome though. Evolution and adaptation at it's finest.

Edited because I pressed submit too soon. : ) opps.

 

[Lula]

I was using this definition, which includes singularly or mutually beneficial relationships http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/S/Symbiosis.html

But I think the more I visit the thread, the more grossed out I get by the whole thing -- Kenny, wherever do you find such things? And, more important, why???????

 

[Kismet]

Eww! I'm now wishing I didn't click on this topic.

 

[Gothgrrl]

I'm so glad I don't fish!

 

[kenny]

Kenny, wherever do you find such things? And, more important, why???????

I just find our world fascinating.
I love learning and sharing surprising things with friends.

 

[partgypsy]

First I thought this HAD to be some kind of April fool's joke/photoshopping. But if it is, it's widely disseminated.

Thank you for introducing me to my nightmare tonight. Thanks alot.

 

[somethingshiny]

Wow. Totally amazing and utterly horrific all that same time. You can never stop being amazed by our planet and its inhabitants.

 

[Sha]

!!!

 

[iLander]

THINGS I CAN'T UNSEE!!!

 

[rhbgirl24]

Thats eeeeew and cool all at the same time. lol

 

[Selkie]

I'm a biologist, and I find this kind of thing both fascinating and disgusting. Technically it's either commensalism or parasitism, and both are subsets of symbiosis. One organism benefits and there is either no harm (commensalism) or some harm, but not necessarily fatal (parasitism) to the other. Either way, I'm probably going to be extra conscious of my tongue for the rest of the day!