#Lernaeolophus sultanus

[wikipediapictures]

Copepod

“Lernaeolophus sultanus (Copepoda, Pennellidae), a parasite of the deep-sea fish Pristipomoides filamentosus (Lutjanidae), off New Caledonia. Scale, each scale division – 1 mm.” - via Wikimedia Commons

#poll for formatting preference is above ⬆️ #wikipedia #wikipedia pictures #nature #animals #parasite #parasites #parasitology #marine biology #Pristipomoides filamentosus #Lernaeolophus sultanus #marine life #marine animals #sea life #sea animals #fish #icthyology #oceancore #deep sea #lutjanidae #copepoda #arthropoda #crustacean #arthropod

[unseelie]

this crustacean that evolved to parasitize a single specific fish, becoming flawlessly suited for that niche at the cost of all features that make it recognizable as a traditional “crustacean” = impeccable body horror vibes

#Lernaeolophus sultanus is the name of it