A recent study published last week sheds light on the bizarre biology of comb jellies, also known as ctenophores. These ancient creatures, considered the aliens of the sea, have intrigued scientists for centuries due to their unique evolutionary path. Researchers discovered that two unrelated comb jellies can spontaneously fuse together into a single body, raising questions about their immune system and evolution.
The study was accidentally initiated by biologist Kei Jokura, who noticed a comb jelly with two mouths during his research at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, Massachusetts. Further investigation revealed that the two animals had fused together and were behaving as one. Subsequent experiments showed that comb jellies can easily fuse and coordinate their movements, suggesting a shared nervous system.
This remarkable ability may provide insights into the evolution of immune responses in animals. Unlike most creatures, comb jellies do not display allorecognition, a defense mechanism that triggers an immune response when foreign tissues are detected. This suggests that this trait may have evolved after comb jellies diverged from the rest of the animal kingdom 700 million years ago.
However, scientists caution that comb jellies are not living fossils and have likely undergone evolutionary changes over time. Further research on the 185 known species of comb jellies is needed to uncover more surprises and understand their unique biology. The study opens up new possibilities for studying the evolution of immune systems and the complex biology of these fascinating creatures.
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