Marine parasites have been terrorizing fish and maintaining ecosystems for millions of years. They’ve had a complex evolutionary path that has allowed them to survive both inside and outside of their hosts. Their various strategies for survival have helped established a number of different types of marine parasites. Here are five unique and interesting parasites roaming the oceans today.
Rhizocephalan Barnacle
Rhizocephalan barnacles frequent some of the world’s most beloved seafood delicacies: decapod crustaceans. Cousins of the more familiar filter-feeding barnacles, these parasites attack the reproductive systems of their hosts and exploit that energy for their own benefit. They can be divided into two groups, kentrogonids and akentrogonids, have high reproduction rates, and can make anyone second guess slicing into their next lobster, crab, or crustacean treat.
Toxoplasma Gondii
The toxoplasma gondii parasite is unique in that it’s found both on land (cats) and in water (otters and seals). The parasite is harmful and can be lethal in some cases. Researchers are still scratching their heads about how this type of marine parasite got in the water in the first place.
Digenetic Trematodes
Digenetic trematodes are flatworm parasites that have a number of stages completely indistinguishable from one-another. They have a swimming stage, cyst stage, and latching stage. Their different life cycles can include up to four different hosts. This makes them one of the most unique types of marine parasites out there.
Enteroxenos
Enteroxenos is a parasite that made sure that not even the quiet sea cucumber is safe from parasitic assaults. This colorless, worm-like parasite injects thousands of eggs into its cucumber host while absorbing nutrients through the cucumber’s outer skin. Enteroxenos parasites match the common tapeworm in almost every respect.
Trebius Shiino
One of the most furtive and invasive types of marine parasites is Trebius shiino. Commonly known as uterine lice, this parasite only infects angel sharks. It creeps its way into the reproductive canal of its host, attaches itself to the uterus and any unborn pups, and remains there indefinitely.
