Pacific tongue-eating louse [Cymothoa pacifica]
Description
Cymothoa pacifica, known commonly as the Pacific tongue-eating louse, is a species of parasitic isopod found in the Eastern Central Pacific. This species follows a similar parasitic behavior as others in its genus where the female attaches to the fish's tongue, causing it to atrophy and then replacing it. Cymothoa pacifica is distinguishable by its unique body coloration and structure.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Arthropods
Arthropoda
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Crustaceans
Malacostraca
|
| Order |
Isopods
Isopoda
|
| Family |
Cymothoidae
Cymothoidae
|
| Genus |
Cymothoa
Cymothoa
|