Did you know that comb jellies can become babies again?

Researchers from the University of Bergen have discovered a rare survival technique in Mnemiopsis leidyi, a species of comb jelly. These animals can reverse their growth process and return from an adult to a juvenile state when they experience environmental stress. This discovery suggests that some creatures may be more adaptable in their life cycles than previously thought, opening up new avenues for research in developmental biology.

A surprising transformation discovered by scientists

The researchled by Dr. Joan J. Soto-Angel, started as a chance observation. The study reports that during routine laboratory monitoring, he noticed an adult comb jelly undergoing transformation to a larval form. Intrigued, he and Dr. Pawel Burkhardt of the Michael Sars Center decided to investigate further, finding that these organisms would undergo this reversal under specific stress conditions, such as food shortages or injury. Over the weeks, the jellyfish has adapted its structure and behavior to its younger, larval form.

Implications for regenerative biology and beyond

The research highlights that comb jelly’s anti-aging ability sheds light on biological processes that could have broad implications. The findings suggest that this life cycle flexibility could extend beyond comb jelly, raising questions about the ability of other species to reset their development. Because ctenophores, such as Mnemiopsis leidyi, belong to an ancient lineage, it is possible that this survival mechanism is a deep-rooted trait from early evolutionary history.

A strategy of survival and resilience

The work of the team, reported by Earth.com, raises many questions. Could other species also possess untapped capacities for regeneration or life cycle reversal? The process observed in Mnemiopsis appears to be a survival strategy, allowing the comb jelly to conserve resources by returning to a simpler form under harsh conditions.