Researchers from the University of Bergen in Norway made an accidental discovery about a fascinating species of jellyfish known as the comb jelly (Mnemiopsis leidyi), which has the ability to rejuvenate itself. This phenomenon places the creature among the few capable of halting the natural processes of aging and death.
The study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS), revealed this astonishing capability after scientists observed a jellyfish larva in a tank where only adult specimens were expected. This unexpected finding suggested that the comb jelly possesses an aging-reversal mechanism, similar to that of the renowned “immortal jellyfish” (Turritopsis dohrnii), known for its ability to revert to earlier stages of its life cycle.
During the research, scientists explored how the comb jelly manages to “rejuvenate” itself, regressing to a younger stage under extreme stress conditions. In this reversion, adults transform back into larvae and display typical larval behaviors, including changes in feeding habits.
Previous studies suggest that this ability to revert to an earlier life stage may have been a crucial factor for the species’ survival over millions of years. This adaptive trait could have contributed to the resilience and longevity of the comb jelly, potentially making it one of the earliest species to populate Earth’s oceans.
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