That's the incredibly specific, terribly icky job of the tongue-eating louse. Luckily for humans, the isopod doesn't affect people.
Humans are not affected by the isopod. Parasitic isopods are found primarily in the warmer waters of the Pacific Ocean. Captive fish populations can be harmed and killed by ingesting asphyxiated particles. Infestation can cause economic harm to commercial fish species.
Luckily for us, the parasite, Cymothoa exigua, which is a type of crustacean called an isopod, is not interested in human flesh. It lives in the Pacific Ocean off the coasts of Mexico and Central America, and only infests fish.
Visceral pentastomiasis in humans is caused by the larval stages (nymphs) of the arthropod-related tongue worms Linguatula serrata, Armillifer armillatus, A. moniliformis, A. grandis, and Porocephalus crotali.
Cymothoa exigua is an isopod (like crabs or lobster) and is a fish parasite. This crustacean is a marine-louse, if you will. The females can grow to about an inch in length and males about half that. It is the only known organism to replace an entire organ of its host species, in this case, the poor fish's tongue.
Indeed, they are found in places where water has always been present throughout Australia's extremely variable climatic history. Millions of years ago, when the whole of Australia was as wet as Tasmania is today, phreatoicidean isopods may have been more widespread.
becoming its new tongue. To survive, the parasite then feeds on the fish's mucus, all while not killing the fish. As it goes, the tongue-eating louse is the only known parasite that can functionally replace a host's organs.
Giant isopods are not harmful to humans and are not dangerous. Humans will rarely encounter these creatures because they live in deep ocean waters. They are not venomous or poisonous and rely on their shell for protection against predators.
Cymothoa exigua, or the tongue-eating louse, is a parasitic isopod of the family Cymothoidae. It enters fish through the gills. The female attaches to the tongue, while the male attaches to the gill arches beneath and behind the female. Females are 8–29 mm (0.3–1.1 in) long and 4–14 mm (0.16–0.55 in) wide.
Meet the “tongue biters,” Cymothoa exigua, a species of parasitic isopods in the family Cymothoidae. These things range in size from 0.3-1.1 inches in length for the females, and 0.3-0.6 inches in length for males. What they lack in size, they make up for in weirdness.
The species Linguatula serrata belongs to the Pentastomida, a still-enigmatic group of worm-like, bloodsucking parasites that inhabit the upper respiratory tract of terrestrial, carnivorous vertebrates, mostly reptiles and birds; L. serrata, commonly called tongue worms, typically inhabit canids and felids.
The most commonly seen isopod on the beach are sea slaters (Ligia sp.) or sometimes called sea cockroaches although they are not insects and look nothing like cockroaches (if you ask me). What are isopods? They are crustaceans like crabs and prawns.
Coastal isopods
The "wharf roach," or "sea roach" (Ligiaexotica), is a common isopod often found running around on pier pilings and rocks at high tide. It is a scavenger that feeds on organic matter that it scoops up from rocks and pilings. This isopod is terrestrial, which means that it lives on land.
Terrestrial isopods, also known as pill bugs, are small crustaceans that can be found living in soil. Although they are typically harmless, terrestrial isopods are capable of biting if they are disturbed. These bites are usually very small and painless, but can cause minor skin irritation.
Tongue-eating lice are most often found inhabiting the mouths of their fish hosts, effectively replacing the fishes' tongues—which is how the parasites got their nickname. Despite the “tongue-eating” part of the name, C. exigua do not technically eat their hosts' tongues.
One is the Entamoeba gingivalis. The parasite resides inside the gingival pocket biofilm near the base of the teeth, and in periodontal pockets. It is is found in 95% of people with gum disease and rarely in people with healthy gums.
The most effective treatment against argulusosis is organophosphates, which usually are given as 2 or 3 doses at 1-wk intervals to kill emerging larvae and juveniles. Because adult fish lice continue to molt, they are susceptible to chitin synthesis inhibitors, such as the pesticide diflubenzuron.
Summary Top. Slaters (also known as woodlice, sowbugs and pill bugs) are multi-legged, land-living crustaceans found all over Australia. They are scavengers and feed mainly on decaying organic matter and are usually considered beneficial.
Isopods from outside may carry parasites or diseases that can harm your pets or other animals in your home.
Isopods are not harmful to humans, although they have dozens of sharp claws on their underside, and Chambers said they can be quite vicious and are capable of giving a nasty nip if you pick them up.
The tongue worm, Linguatula serrata, which occurs worldwide, is often found in the nasal passages and frontal sinuses of several host animals, but especially dogs (Fig. 124.29). Human infestations may result in discomfort in the throat, paroxysmal coughing, and sneezing.
Cymothoa exigua, or the tongue-eating louse, is a crustacean, a parasitic isopod. This parasite enters fish through the gills, and then attaches itself. The female attaches to the fish's tongue, and the male attaches on the gill arches beneath and behind the female. The female parasite destroys the fish's tongue.