Have I been touched by his noodly appendage? The Flying Spaghetti Monster has appeared to me as a mass of writhing cercariae!

These are cercariae of the trematode species Renicola buchanani. These cercariae have recently emerged from their snail host, and have joined their tails together to form what is sometimes called a “rat king.” By joining together in a writhing ball, the parasites grab the attention of their fish hosts. Apparently this rat king looks delicious, because the fish consume the parasites and become infected. The parasites travel to the fish’s liver, where they stay until their fish host is eaten by a predatory bird.

4 Responses to “A Sign from the Flying Spaghetti Monster?”

1. 

   Cat

   April 7, 2011 at 4:33 AM

   “Lo, and the Noodly One did mimic a meal, and used the unbeliever as His tool to reach his optimum host, the Flying Vessel”.

   And once again I’m surprised at the ingenuity of parasites. Go, you creepy things, go!

   Reply
2. 

   atamprin

   April 7, 2011 at 1:52 PM

   this post needs a like button

   Reply
3. 

   Steve

   April 7, 2011 at 3:48 PM

   My grandmother’s favorite expletive, “Ye gods in little catfishes” takes on new meaning.

   Reply
4. 

   Magnus

   April 7, 2011 at 10:54 PM

   Welcome to the fold my fellow Pastafarian. My his starch strengthen all you do…
   And on a side note… who can blame those fishes… that does look so very appetizing!

   Reply