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rhexanella verrucosa Anonymous
cuddly parasite
>> Anonymous
wtf is that
>> Anonymous
>>287833
A rhexanella verrucosa?
>> Anonymous
They're commonly found hiding under the rim of public toilets.
>> Anonymous
man them fuckers are big.
>> Anonymous
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a baby rhexanella verrucosa. Awwwwww
>> Anonymous
I shat bricks.
>> Anonymous
>>287832

A Google search led me to the isopod wikipedia page. D:
>> Anonymous
So from what I can gather they're a parasite that grow in the mouths of Japanese fish?
>> Anonymous
So there's another one of those tongue parasites besides Cymothoa exigua?
>> Anonymous
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peekaboo!
>> Anonymous
so cahuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuute
>> Anonymous
I want one as a pet. Maybe I can keep it in my mouth.
>> Anonymous
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he was found in the mouth of this fish
>> Anonymous
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Wow this is the most amazing thing ever. I looked it up:

The isopod gets into its host’s mouth and grabs onto its tongue with seven hooklike legs. Over time, the tongue degenerates, leaving the parasite hanging on to its stub. This change actually has very little effect on the fish, because it can still hold prey with the parasite. The isopod doesn’t just replace the tongue physically, it also replaces it functionally.
>> Anonymous
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>> Anonymous
The isopods are kind of neat in that they're more symbiote than parasite. Parasites tend to be detrimental to their hosts, which this 'lil guy clearly isn't. Yes, he causes the fish's tongue to degenerate, but his body actually replaces the tongue in function for the fish.

And they look like something off the set of an "Alien" movie. How cool is that?
>> Anonymous
It's in no way symbiotic. Yes, it happens to replace the tongue of the fish, so it isn't entirely detrimental in that respect, but you forget it's also consuming the fish's food. It might not have a massive detrimental impact but it still makes it parasitic.
>> Anonymous
fucking delicious. can anon eat?
>> Anonymous
What happens if the isopod dies before the host and that fish is left without much of a tongue?
>> Anonymous
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I like Cymothoa Exigua, I eat them all the time!
>> Parasitologist
Fun Fact.

Sometimes, certain isopods will accidentally attach themselves onto the backs of other isopods. When this happens, something makes the one on the isopod's back GROW FUCKING INSANE HUGE.