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Anonymous File :-(, x)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cymothoa_exigua
Cymothoa exigua is a parasitic crustacean of the family Cymothoidae. This parasite attaches itself at the base of the spotted rosesnapper fish's tongue with its claws, and drinks from the artery which supplies the tongue with blood. As the parasite grows, less and less blood is able to reach the tongue, and eventually the organ atrophies from lack of blood. The parasite then replaces the fish's tongue with its own body. The fish is able to use the parasite just like a normal tongue, except that it has to share its food with the parasite. It appears that the parasite does not cause any other damage to the host fish [1]. Once C. exigua replaces the tongue, it supplements its diet with food particles, thereby relieving strain on the host's circulatory system.
A fish parasitised by C. exigua was recently discovered in the United Kingdom, leading to speculation that the parasite's range may be expanding [2]. The animal in question will be put on display in the Horniman Museum [3].
Also see http://news.bbc.co.uk/cbbcnews/hi/newsid_4200000/newsid_4209000/4209004.stm
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