Parasites Gallery

Eyelash mite tails, SEM

Eyelash mite tails. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tails (pink) of three eyelash, or follicle, mites (Demodex folliculorum), protruding from a human hair follicle. The hair shaft (upper right) is also seen. These harmless parasites infest follicles (depressions in the skin which contain the roots of hairs) around the eyelids, nose and in the ear canals of humans. One follicle may contain up to 25 growing mites. They feed on oily secretions from the skin's sebaceous glands, as well as dead skin cells. Infestation is usually symptomless, but, in some individuals, allergic reactions to the mites can cause hair loss and acne. Magnification: x250 at 6x7cm size

© STEVE GSCHMEISSNER/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Liver flukes, macro photograph

Liver flukes. Macro photograph of adult liver flukes (Fasciola hepatica), showing the gut (diverticulum) engorged with blood. Liver flukes are parasitic tremotode flatworms that live in the bile duct of various mammals. They cause a disease known as fasciolosis and can cause great economic losses in the sheep and cattle industry

© SINCLAIR STAMMERS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY

Black-spot angelfish, Fiji

The black-spot angelfish (Genicanthus melanospilos) goes by many common names, including spotbreast angelfish, Japanese swallowtail angelfish, spotbreast angelfish and swallowtail angelfish. This is the female of this species; Fiji

© Dave Fleetham / Design Pics

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