Masquerading as Fish Tongue

Mouth dwelling isopods in different fish species. (Nico Smit, Int. J. Parasitol, 2014)

An unsuspecting worker at Galveston Island State Park on the western Gulf Coast in Texas found a fish with a surprise.

Within the Atlantic croaker's (Micropogonias undulatus) gaping mouth, where its tongue should have been, instead sat far too many legs for any mouth, or fish. These legs came with eyes, too.An isopod from the genus Cymothoa had replaced the croaker's tongue. Females of this group of crustaceans migrate up from the fish's gills, pinch, and siphon off the blood supply to the tongue until the organ withers and falls off. They then attach themselves onto the remaining fleshy stub, continuing to feast on their captive's blood for years.

"[It] happens to be the only known case where a parasite functionally replaces a host's organ," the park workers shared on their Facebook page.

Mark Fisher, science director at Texas Parks and Wildlife explained that these parasites are quite common in some fish species, like the spotted seatrout. While he'd never before seen one in an Atlantic croaker (Micropogonias undulatus), one 2015 study found the isopods were relatively fond of this particular host.

While the parasite, which can reach up to 8 mm long (0.3 inches), doesn't seem to change feeding habits of some of the fish it infects, it can lead to a reduction in their growth, a 2013 study found.

The researchers suggested this may be due to respiratory stress produced by receiving less oxygen over the long term, because the massive parasite clogging the mouth doesn't allow the fish to take up and filter as much oxygen from the water. Others attribute this decline to the parasite's draining of nutrients.

These findings were specific to the C. borbonica species infecting the Trachinotus botla fish. We're not sure which species has infested the mouth of the Atlantic croaker, although C. excisa is thought to have high host specificity towards this fish.  READ MORE...

COVID America -- East TN

 TODAY...  was the end of a two week wait after my 2rd COVID vaccine shot...  so, now I am 96% protected against all forms of the virus...

How does that make me feel?

Well...  when others have asked me that same question, I typically answer by saying "I FEEL WITH MY FINGERS."  And...  that response usually elicits some mild form of laughter...  not wanting to give me the impression that I have said anything that was really too funny.

BUT...  knowing that I am protected is a good feeling especially because of my on going battles with:  heart disease, lymphoma, melanoma, and hypothyroidism all of which has contributed to my constant fatigue, low immunity and anemia.

HOWEVER...  I will continue to wear my facemask in public and I will continue to wash my hands often especially when I am in public or going to a doctor's appointment...  and, since I am currently teaching a night class for a local university, I will be protecting myself there as well.

My concern about COVID will for the most part end once we develop herd immunity in the US and once we get control over the COVID that is being brought into the US as a result of our current immigration policies...  and while it does not really impact me, living in East TN, immigration could have a negative impact on our country in the months to come.

MEANWHILE...  my wife and I are planning several trips down to the Gulf Coast and to the East Coast, specifically Myrtle Beach, SC (above).  Myrtle Beach is not a place that attracts millionaires and billionaires but it is a place where my wife and I can stay in an efficiency apartment for a week for $1,200 and sit in lounge chairs with umbrellas for under $150 for that same week and spend $50 a night (or less - including tips) on dinner for a total of $250...  Our round trip visit usually involves 3 tanks of gasoline for about $100.  Our total visit cost is $1,800 +/- and since we received $6,400 in total stimulus checks as a result of this pandemic, we will be able to use the stimulus to pay for 3.5 visits before needing to use our own money...

As far as I am concerned, the Democrats can keep the money flowing, especially since it will not be me that will be responsible for our National Debt nor will it be me that suffers should the FED print up a bunch of money to pay off the debt resulting in a severe dilution of the value of the US dollar.  That dilution will not be necessary until after I am dead.

PERFECT TIMING FOR ME...