Tapeworm at Meguro Parasite Museum
What images come to mind when you hear the term “parasite”? Perhaps images that inspire fear or make you feel sick in your stomach? Plants and animals that live in this world do not live in isolation from one another, but within a complex web of direct and indirect relationships. Parasitism is one such type of relationships; parasites are those animals which use other living animals (hosts) as their abode and source of food. Thus, in most cases the presence of the parasite is not detrimental to the well-being of the host. While parasites which cause fatal harm such as malaria parasites or blood flukes do exist, they are few in number. Try to think about parasites without a feeling of fear, and take the time to learn about their wondrous and resourceful way of life. There are some parasites that, in the course of evolution, lose organs that are no longer needed, developing or retaining only reproductive organs to leave behind descendants, and transforming into strange forms such as tapeworms. While you may find this form offensive to your sensibilities, it is the optimal form for the tapeworm. The Meguro Parasitological Museum is a research facility that was established with the private funds of Satoru Kamegai, a Doctor of Medical Science. Since its establishment, the Museum has achieved substantial success owing to the help of volunteers in the private sector as well as the assistance of the government, in addition to the support of the academic establishment. The parasite-related materials and specimens held by the museum along with the museum's research and publication activities allow the museum to pride itself as one of the most distinguished museums in the world.
Size: 3600px × 5796px
Location: Tokyo, Japan
Photo credit: © John Lander / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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