Advertisement

Oceanic shapeshifters

Oceanic shapeshifters

Posted in:

Injured moon jellies can restore symmetry and balance by re-organising parts of their body.

Staying symmetrical, staying on even keel

Animals are endowed with the capacity to repair injuries. Some animals simply heal the wound, whereas others are able to regenerate lost parts.

A new study now documents yet another and previously unidentified strategy of self-repair, where moon jellyfish respond to injuries by reorganizing existing parts, and rebuilding essential body symmetry, important for them to stay balanced as they travel around the ocean, without regenerating what is lost.

By looking at how these jellyfish respond to injuries, the research team found that they change their muscular networks in order for their mouth and limbs to stay centred. They can then continue to develop into healthy adults.

The juvenile jellyfish can recover their balance in just a few days, an ability no longer thought possible when they develop into full adults.

Sources
Caltech
Advertisements