Tags: Crustacean.
Nicothoe astaci is a copepod that parasitises the gills of the lobster species Homarus gammarus. N. astaci attaches to the gill filament of the lobster by the use of its sucking mouthparts. Sharp mandibles pierce the wall of the gill filament and a muscular throat leading to the stomach sucks the host’s blood out. In its adult form Nicothoe is barely mobile and most likely remains in the same position for most of its life.