Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa, or the Rose-Veiled Fairy Wrasse, a new species. (Photo: Yi-Kai Tea/California Academy of Sciences)

Untold wonders fill the seas. In 2022, a new wonder was revealed: an elusive rainbow-colored fish in the waters off the Maldives. The rose-veiled fairy wrasse—or Cirrhilabrus finifenmaa—darts along the reefs. Patterned in yellow, rose, and violet, the interesting creature is born female and becomes male as it ages. This shift in gender is accompanied by one in the vivid color of its scales. This special trait is just one example of gender fluidity in nature.

The rose-veiled fairy wrasse was first sighted in the 1990s by scientist John Ernest Randall. However, Randall believed the colorful fish was simply another color-changing species at a different age. It was not until 2022 that the species was scientifically described as distinct. “Finifenmaa” means rose in the local Dhivehi language. It acknowledges the Maldivian national flower, the pink rose. Researcher Ahmed Najeeb of the Maldives Marine Research Institute made history in the description of the fish, as the first local scientist to describe a species native to the region.

The rose-veiled fairy wrasse lives about 130–230 feet below the surface of the Indian Ocean. This region is known as the mesophotic, or twilight, zone. Divers with special breathing systems must descend to spot the brightly colored critters. Like other wrasse species, the fish are born female; and as they mature, they become males. They become more decadent and colorful as they change their gender. The Vibranium fairy wrasse (Cirrhilabrus wakanda, named in 2019 after the metal of Black Panther) begin life with vivid purple scales and, as their gender shifts, their heads turn bright yellow. Thankfully, Dr. Yi-Kai Tea, a fellow at the Australian Museum Research Institute in Sydney, tells The Guardian, “As far as we know, they are not under any immediate risk.”

The rose-veiled fairy wrasse begins life female and later becomes male, demonstrating fluidity of gender in nature.

The rose-veiled fairy wrasse off the coast of the Maldives. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

h/t: [The Guardian]

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READ: This Rainbow Fish Is Born Female and Becomes Male As It Ages

It's not often that zoos have a chance to celebrate a polar bear's birth. This winter, however, the Toledo Zoo in Ohio was lucky enough to welcome twin polar bear cubs. They are the first baby bears to be born at the park since 2012, making it an extra special occasion.

The twin cubs were born to a 24-year-old female, Crystal, and an 18-year-old male, Nuka. “The polar bear Species Survival Program (SSP) issued a breeding recommendation for Crystal in hopes of mating to sustain this endangered species,” the Toledo Zoo said on Instagram. “We welcomed Nuka to the Toledo Zoo in March of this year to begin that process.”

Due to their age, the genders of the cubs are still unknown. They are also being kept away from the public for the time being, but will make their debut some time in the spring of 2023. However, those interested in seeing the cubs in action have the opportunity to jump onto the Toledo Zoo's livestream, which takes place every day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. EST.

The Toledo Zoo in Ohio welcomed twin polar bear cubs—the first polar bears born at the zoo since 2012.

 

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Toledo Zoo: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [ABC 6]

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READ: Adorable Twin Polar Bear Cubs Are Born at the Toledo Zoo

A female specimen of Otus bikegila. (Photo: Melo, Figure 12, Melo et al./ZooKeys)

While vanishing species receive a lot of well-deserved attention, new species are also continually being discovered and documented. About 18,000 new species are described scientifically each year. Estimates suggest millions more remain unknown. A new species of the adorable scops owl has recently been documented for the first time, emerging from obscurity. Announced in ZooKeys, the small bird is likely critically endangered, but utterly adorable.

Since the early 1900s, reports from locals on Príncipe Island—part of the Democratic Republic of Sao Tome and Principe, off the coast of Africa—mentioned sightings of a small owl. In the late 1990s, researcher Martim Melo, of the Research Centre in Biodiversity and Genetic Resources and the Natural History and Science Museum of the University of Porto in Portugal, became interested in the elusive owl. “I was studying the grey parrot population of Principe Island with a local parrot harvester, Bikegila. He told of two instances where instead of finding parrot chicks inside the parrot nests (which are holes in trees), they found a scary-looking bird with big eyes. I immediately thought about owls,” Melo told Treehugger. Curious researchers also discovered mention of its existence in a 1928 letter in the archives of the American Museum of Natural History.

Working with locals including paper author Sátiro da Costa, researchers combined their knowledge of the dense forest to finally view and describe the bird, a species of scops-owl. Named Otus bikegila after the parrot expert (now a park ranger), the species has now been formally described. However, much is still unknown about the creature, as it has avoided notice for decades. It lives within less than 13 square miles of forest on the island, roosting in parrot nests high up in the trees. Melo worries about the future of the species: “Although inside this area it is relatively common, it is also highly sensitive to any changes that may occur there…Our results have shown that the species is very sensitive to human perturbation. A particular threat that worries us are the plans to build a hydroelectric dam. This will require construction work inside the park in an area where the owl is present.”

Despite their potential future threats, researchers are excited by the find. “I had a firsthand experience of its elusiveness: From my first suspicions of its existence, in 1998, it took me 20 years to first set eyes on it! Otherwise, it is fascinating as most owls,” Melo said. For now, the gentle night owl hoots and its big glowing eyes light up the forest night—and hopefully will for many years.

A new scops-owl species named Otus bikegila has been described on Príncipe Island, off the coast of Africa.

The new species illustrated in two possible feather tones. (Photo: Figure 19, artwork by MNC, Melo et al./ZooKeys)

The owl has been sighted occasionally by locals since the early 1900s, but has long evaded scientific notice.

Príncipe Island, the home of Otus bikegila. (Photo: A Alexandre Vaz B MM., Figure 110, Melo et al./ZooKeys)

h/t: [Treehugger]

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READ: New Owl Species Has Been Documented on Príncipe Island off the Coast of Africa

Zuri and her magnificent mane. (Photo: Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center)

Male lions are known for their fluffy manes which appear during sexual maturation between a year and a half and two years old. This iconic fluff typically makes it easy to determine the male among a pride. Females, by contrast, are typically a light, sleeker tan. However, the beauty of nature is never so simple. Zuri, an 18-year-old lioness at Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center in Kansas, has recently grown herself a magnificent, fluffy mane. While scientists are a bit unsure of the reason behind her new look, she's not the only lioness to have acquired this characteristic.

Topeka's three-lion pride lost its male lion Avus in October 2020. Zuri was left behind with another female. She is the dominant personality, according to her keepers. Since the loss of Avus, keepers noticed the fluffy mane developing on Zuri. It is shorter and sparser than a full-grown male's mane. Despite this coincidental timeline, “I don’t think there's really any kind of evolutionary [reason for this], either lack of males or too much competition with other females or anything like that…I think it’s just a random event,” says Kris Everatt, a scientist at the conservation organization Panthera.

While the cause of Zuri's remarkable hair growth is unknown, it is not an unprecedented event. Five female lions in Botswana showed similar characteristics in one report. Another 18-year-old lioness named Bridget also sprouted a tufty mane at the Oklahoma City Zoo in 2017. In this case, a tumor was discovered on Bridget's adrenal gland. The tumor triggered raised levels of cortisol and androstenedione, likely causing the mane growth. It's possible that Zuri's advanced age has perhaps shifted her hormone levels, creating a similar effect. Whatever the cause, Zuri is certainly rocking her new look.

Zuri, the 18-year-old lioness at Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center in Kansas, has grown herself a magnificent, fluffy mane.

Zuri shows off her fur. (Photo: Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center)

h/t: [IFL Science]

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READ: 18-Year-Old Lioness Named Zuri Grows a Mane at Kansas Zoo

 

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Helping the threatened population of bees (and other pollinators) plays a big role in preserving our fragile environment. Back in 2019, Utrecht, Holland, transformed hundreds of bus stops into plant-filled havens for the insects. Leicester, England, quickly followed suit and implemented the pollination pit stops into their city-wide climate initiative in 2021. Thanks to the huge success of these renovated bus stops, the UK is planning on creating at least 1,000 more.

The stations are called Living Roofs, adorably nicknamed “Bee Bus Stops,” and were designed by Clear Channel in partnership with ecologists. Filled with a mix of native wildflowers and sedums, the adorned bus stops support biodiversity. Passersby can see wild strawberries, poppies, pansies, thyme, and wild marjoram atop the unassuming structures. What they might not see is that these wildflowers were specifically chosen to attract pollinators like “common carder bees, buff-tailed bumblebees, peacock butterflies, small tortoiseshell butterflies, and chequered hoverflies.”

Their good work doesn’t end there, though; the stations also absorb rainwater and particulates in the air, reducing the “Urban Heat Island Effect” and contributing to climate resistance. Clear Channel states that the Bee Bus Stops, “help make the city a greener and happier place.” The only maintenance the Living Roofs need is two visits a year to trim, weed, and fertilize. Watering is only required if there’s been a drought.

Every detail seems to be taken into consideration, from the design of the Living Roofs to the urban landscape they’re being built in. Materials are “100% recycled or upcycled,” and locally sourced where possible. But there is a caveat. Because Living Roofs are specially designed to carry a lot of weight, they can’t just be added to existing bus stops. Therefore, the new stops are only installed where bus stops need to be replaced. Louise Stubbings at Clear Channel explains, “We don’t want to rip perfectly good shelters out of the ground to put a new one in. You have to be really considered and mindful with planning these things and making sure the good they’re providing really is good.”

With their many advantages, it’s easy to see how the Bee Bus Stops have quickly gained popularity. Since the installation of Living Roofs in Leicester, there have been others installed across the UK in cities such as Derby, Oxford, Cardiff, Sunderland, and Glasgow. Last year, one was installed in Brighton after almost 50,000 people signed a petition. Public demand seems to emulate Clear Channel’s plans for the concept. Stubbings declared, “We want to do it in as many cities in the UK as possible.”

The company's plans for the Bee Bus Stops go even beyond the UK, though. “We see this as a long-term, scalable addition to our bus shelters. We’d like to do them everywhere, the positive effects are incredible,” says Stubbings. It has already been established in the Netherlands, Denmark, and Sweden, and plans to create more pit stops in France and Belgium by the end of 2022. They’ve even received requests from as far away as Canada and Australia.

Of the many already seeing the positive effects of the Bee Bus Stops is Derby. “Bus stops are a great way of being very present in the city. Everyone sees them, even if they’re not taking the bus, but walking or driving past,” states Jo Smith. As CEO of Derbyshire Wildlife Trust, a partner of Clear Channel for the Derby bus stops, Smith points out that turning something so emblematic of city life into a visible, tangible piece of nature is a key advantage. “It’s a visible representation of the small changes we want communities, individuals, and organizations to take in order to create more space for nature.”

Scroll down to see these incredible Bee Bus Stops in action.

Back in 2019, Utrecht, Holland, transformed hundreds of bus stops into plant-filled havens—nicknamed Bee Bus Stops—to help combat the declining population of pollinators.

Go #Utrecht! In my city, 316 bus stops now have a green roof. These roofs help to capture fine dust, storage of rainwate, provide cooling in the summertime and they contribute to the city’s biodiversity, supporting insects. Want one too? | #climateaction https://t.co/t0H2vIXPkP pic.twitter.com/BoPQOKDTE7

— Jolanda van Ginkel (@jolandavginkel) July 7, 2019

Leicester, England, quickly followed suit by implementing the pollination pit stops into their city-wide climate initiative in 2021.

 

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Thanks to the success of these first stations, Clear Channel has partnered with ecologists on a mission to replace over 1,000 old bus stops with new Living Roof bus stops.

 

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Cities like Derby, Glasgow, and Oxford are already enjoying the benefits of the biodiversity-boosting, low-maintenance bus stops.

 

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Clear Channel plans to bring nature to cities across the world. Countries like France, Belgium, and the Netherlands already have plans in place for Bee Bus Stop installations in the near future.

 

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Clear Channel UK: Website | Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [The Guardian]

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READ: Bus Stops Across Europe Are Getting “Living Roofs” To Help Bees Thrive

The sweet bear family spotted in Katmai National Park and Preserve. (Photo: Zaz Ouille)

This year’s Fat Bear Week has come to an end. The popular sensation celebrates the brown bears of Katmai National Park and Preserve as they pack on the pounds in preparation for winter hibernation. People around the world can vote for their favorite chunky critter while watching bears nip salmon from waterfalls on livestreams. This year, observers got an adorable surprise—two adult bear sisters came together to travel with their cubs, a rare move for the typically solitary species.

Bears 909 and 910 are both daughters of the 2018 Fat Bear Week winner, 409. They are now adults and mothers themselves. 909's cub is a yearling. This means it is his second salmon-fishing season. 910's cub is younger, born only this spring. The sisters and cub cousins were spotted fishing together at Katmai's Brooks River area, a short stretch of river between two lakes. The moms caught salmon in a waterfall while the cubs watched.

Typically, mother bears travel independently with their cubs. However, the pair of sisters have decided to stick together and have been spotted both roaming and resting in their little family. “They hung out together. Relaxed together. Played together. It's pretty incredible,” Naomi Boak, former media ranger at Katmai National Park and Preserve, told Mashable. “To me it was the story of the year.” It's unclear why they've banded together. Perhaps they feel safer or enjoy the other's company.

“I don't think it's a stretch to say that they're friends with one another,” said Mike Fitz, a former Katmai park ranger now at Explore.org. “This is an example of how bears can be quite social animals when the circumstances are correct.” The sweet little family is still together, and you can vote for the momma bears to be crowned queens of the 2023 Fat Bear Week.

A pair of adult bear sisters have banded together, traveling with their cubs in a cute little family which has been surprising observers during Fat Bear Week.

The bears take a rest. (Photo: Michelle Pepper)

h/t: [Mashable]

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Photo: JANKRATOCHVILA/Depositphotos

The last few years have been devastating for Australian wildlife. The horrific bushfires of 2019 and 2020 killed billions of animals. Through the fires and other causes, the list of threatened or high-risk Australian species has grown at a swift rate since 2016. The new government is confronting the problem with an impressive declaration: 30% of the nation's landmass will be designated for conservation.

The new policy was announced by Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on October 4, 2022. “The need for action to protect our plants, animals, and ecosystems from extinction has never been greater,” Plibersek said. The policy is funded by the new Labor government which pledged AU$224.5 million (US$146 million). There are 110 in danger species that will be prioritized, as well as 20 regions. The new initiative will expand areas managed for conservation by a whopping 50 million hectares (193,000 square-miles).

While this is an exciting step for the world's sixth largest country, some conservationists think there is still much more to do. “Australia has more than 1,900 listed threatened species. This plan picks 110 winners. It's unclear how it will help our other ‘non priority' threatened species,” Rachel Lowry, WWF-Australia's chief conservation officer, told Reuters. Despite there being more to be done, it is still an ambitious step and a critical move to preserve some of the most unique species on the planet.

After a devastating last four years for Australian wildlife, the government has pledged to dedicate 30% of the nation's landmass to protection of endangered species.

A kookaburra bird in Sydney. (Photo: NYKER/Depositphotos)

The land will be structured to protect a prioritized 110 species and 20 places.

Tasmania, Australia. (Photo: URBANCOWBOY/Depositphotos)

h/t: [Reuters]

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#ocearch can we talk about how Breton looks like he’s doodling a shark 😂 @OCEARCH pic.twitter.com/zKux7X1GcI

— Chloe Marie (@ChloeMarieReads) May 24, 2022

The global non-profit organization OCEARCH conducts research on the ocean’s biggest habitants to help scientists collect previously unattainable data and to ultimately restore balance and abundance to our oceans. To collect this information, they utilize harmless tagging and sample collection methods. Inadvertently, it seems that data can create some remarkable art.

OCEARCH’s Nova Scotia Expedition 2020 was focused on increasing the amount of great white sharks that are tagged “in order to develop the most advanced understanding yet of white shark biology, physiology, health, behavior and more.” Breton, a mature male great white, was one of the first sharks tagged in this expedition. Named after Nova Scotia’s Cape Breton, he weighed in at 1,437 pounds and measured 13 feet long when he was first spotted.

After Breton was tagged, he was safely released back into the ocean. By the end of the year, he had made it all the way to Florida. Researchers used this geographical information to further their work, but they weren’t the only ones watching the great white’s journey. Twitter user Chloe Marie had noticed in May 2022 that Breton’s path looked peculiar. She posted a screenshot of Breton’s Travel Log and asked OCEARCH, “Can we talk about how Breton looks like he’s doodling a shark?”

Breton was quickly nicknamed “sharkasso” (like Picasso) by Marie, and it’s no wonder why. The connect-the-dots style path is uncannily similar to a shark, complete with a shark fin and curved tail. In September 2022, the work of accidental art gained traction on Twitter when director Jeff Barnaby shared the image. If it’s hard to spot, don’t worry—someone replied with an image to clarify.

Scroll down to see the sharkcasso’s work. You can also keep up with Breton's journey on OCEARCH and learn more about the nonprofit’s work on its website.

OCEARCH, a non-profit that conducts research on the ocean’s biggest habitants, uses safe and harmless tagging methods to provide scientists with necessary information.

 

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In 2020, the organization worked with great white sharks in Nova Scotia. Breton was their first tagged shark during the expedition.

Meet Breton, the first white shark tagged during #ExpeditionNovaScotia 2020. He’s named for the wonderful people of Cape Breton. It’s only our first day of fishing for this trip and we already have one shark. What a start! pic.twitter.com/x2kiwIktjR

— OCEARCH (@OCEARCH) September 12, 2020

Once tagged, he was released back into the ocean and by the end of the year, was already in Florida.

 

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Nearly two years after his journey started, Twitter user Chloe Marie noticed Breton’s tracking path looked peculiar.

#ocearch can we talk about how Breton looks like he’s doodling a shark 😂 @OCEARCH pic.twitter.com/zKux7X1GcI

— Chloe Marie (@ChloeMarieReads) May 24, 2022

By September 2022, many took notice of the accidental connect the dot self-portrait created by the aptly nicknamed “sharkasso.”

A shark fitted with a GPS tracker drew a shark in the Atlantic. pic.twitter.com/qVbpW4AcgN

— Jeff Barnaby (@tripgore) September 17, 2022

And if the shape isn’t clear enough, someone created an image to clarify.

Sounds about right! pic.twitter.com/15olgY2m2A

— Finley Knapman (@knappersmate) September 18, 2022

OCEARCH: Website | Instagram | Twitter
h/t: [The Inertia]

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Sphingicampa raspa (Raspa silkmoth)

For three years, British photographer Levon Biss worked tirelessly to capture every hair, feature, and fiber of rare insects from the American Museum of Natural History's collection. Known for his ability to bring out their beauty with his macro photography, Biss's meticulous method of photographing the specimens has culminated in the Extinct and Endangered exhibition. This ongoing exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History shows all 40 of Biss's photographs and encourages the public to gain a new appreciation for these insects.

Over 10,000 individual images are used in each photo as Biss spends weeks photographing every part of the specimen. The insects, selected for their conservation status, habitat, and order, weave a tale about the fragile state of the world's insect population. Though vital to humans, insects are often underappreciated and misunderstood. And, unfortunately, this can result in great harm to insects that play a vital role in the ecosystem.

By highlighting their diversity and allowing the public to drink in the rich details of these insects, Biss is hoping to use his artistic skills to enact change.  We had the opportunity to speak with Biss about why insects inspire him, how he went about photographing the specimens, and what the public can do to change the fate of these insects. Read on for My Modern Met's exclusive interview and check out all the images on the Extinct and Endangered website.

Coccinella novemnotata (Nine-spotted ladybug)

I know that you were initially drawn to macro photography after your son found an insect in the backyard and you looked at it under a microscope. Can you share what that moment felt like when you viewed it and how that translates into what you are currently doing?

I remember quite clearly the first time I viewed an insect under a microscope. I had the feeling of entering an entirely new world. I was viewing something for the very first time, and it was intricate, mechanical, and beautiful. I felt as though I had just opened a treasure chest of photographic material, and I just couldn't wait to explore the insect world further. A decade on, I still feel the same way today, which does surprise me. I continue to be inspired by insects for many reasons. They are visually interesting, they are functional, and they are diverse in design. They are many things, but every new insect I photograph teaches me more.

Papilio Achilles chikae chikae (Luzon peacock swallowtail)

Has conservation always been something that fascinated you, or has that evolved along with your macro photography?

I would say the conservation side of my work has certainly evolved and become more prominent since I started photographing insects. When you spend pretty much every waking hour photographing insects, it tends to take over your world; when those insects are being threatened by human influence, it makes sense to steer your work in a direction that brings attention to the issues of insect decline and biodiversity loss. Insects do not receive the attention or protection they deserve, particularly compared to mammals. I have a skill set that allows me to communicate through photography. Therefore it is my duty to help highlight these issues to the general public.

Magicicada septendecim (Pharaoh cicada)

For Extinct and Endangered, the species that you photographed were selected from the American Museum of Natural History's vast collection. How did you go about selecting what to photograph?

The specimens photographed for Extinct and Endangered were selected due to their order, conservation status, and geographical location. The majority of specimens are critically endangered, with a number already extinct—gone from this planet forever. There are, though, some specimens from breeding programs that are trying to restore species populations that are under threat of extinction, the Lord Howe Island stick insect, for example. These programs provide encouragement that threatened species can be brought back from the edge.

Anoplognathus viridiaeneus (King Christmas beetle)

What surprises you the most about these insects when you start photographing them?

The diversity is the most striking thing about insects for me. They adapt so well to their specific environments, and this brings about a whole range of visual interests, which as a photographer, is an ideal scenario. Every insect I photograph shows me something I haven't seen before, whether it's a different type of hair or an unusual design of mouthparts. I photograph at a level of magnification that cannot be seen with the human eye; it is actually way beyond that. Therefore, everything I photograph is new to me, and it makes me curious and eager to learn more.

Bombus dahlbomii (Patagonian bumblebee)

Can you take us through your setup for photographing these insects and how long it takes to arrive at the final product? 

The insects are photographed on a bespoke camera rig using microscope lenses. Each image is created from over 10,000 individual photographs and takes three weeks to create. When you shoot at high magnification, there is very little in the image that is in focus, and therefore we have to take many images, each with a tiny slice of focus, and squash them together to create an image that is fully focused from front to back.

I will also divide the insect into many different sections and shoot them separately, changing the lighting on each section to make it look as beautiful as possible. For example, the lighting on an eye will be completely different from a wing because it is a different shape, reflectiveness, and opacity. The lighting technique used depends on the qualities of the area of the insect body being photographed.

Pseudocharis minima (Lesser wasp moth)

What has been the most rewarding part of putting together this show?

The most rewarding part is seeing the children engaging with the photography and accompanying scientific text. They are curious about the giant insects and are experiencing something for the first time. The exhibition is certainly entertaining, but the photographs are also an educational tool. If the children viewing the work at the museum and online learn a little more about the importance of insects, then I would consider the project a success. They are the next decision-makers in society, and the more we can help them appreciate nature, the better.

Melanoplus spretus (Rocky Mountain locust)

How do you hope that this work can break stereotypes that we may have about insects?

We need to break away from the stereotypical mindset of insects being bad or negative. In reality, there are very few insect species on this planet that can do us any real harm, yet they are treated and portrayed as a danger or threat. They are the complete opposite. Insects do so many positive jobs for us humans, but this goes unnoticed. They pollinate our crops to supply us with food, decompose organic material, recycle nutrients in our soil….the list goes on. Humans need insects far more than insects need humans, and I think we should understand that. We should celebrate them, not portray them as the bad guys.

Osmia calaminthae (Blue calamintha bee)

What can we, as ordinary people, do to ensure that these species will endure and thrive once again?

There is useful information on the introduction page of the Extinct and Endangered website. There are numerous reasons why insect numbers are declining, from habitat loss to climate change, from pesticides to fertilizers. From a public perspective, just simple changes such as growing more wildflowers in your backyard or turning lights off at night can help. It is also important, though, to lobby the people in charge, whether that is your councilor or governor, whatever politician is accessible to you. Encourage them to protect wild spaces, the benefits of which we will all share, no matter what political persuasion we are.

Macrodontia cervicornis (Sabertooth longhorn beetle)

Levon Biss: Website | Facebook | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by Levon Biss.

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READ: Macro Photography Highlights Beauty of Extinct and Endangered Insects [Interview]

The immortal jellyfish, Turritopsis nutricula. (Photo: Freshwater and Marine Image Bank, Public domain)

Scientists have identified over 2,000 species of jellyfish—with many thousands more speculated to still be unknown. These incredibly unique beings come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Particularly incredible is the tiny Turritopsis dohrnii. Smaller than a human fingernail, it is known as the immortal jellyfish for its endless lifecycle. As described in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, scientists have recently uncovered the jelly's gene which could hold keys to immortal life.

A jellyfish begins life as an egg and grows into a larva, which then lodges itself on a rock and grows into finger-like polyps. These polyps eventually detach into jellyfish known as a medusa. The immortal jellyfish differs from other species. Instead of dying, it can morph back into a polyp. Later, it blossoms once more into a jellyfish. This cycle can continue indefinitely.

Why is the immortal jellyfish able to recycle itself? Scientists have recently announced that the jelly has double the number of genes as other closely related jellies for repair and protection. “While aging affects most living organisms, the hydrozoan Turritopsis dohrnii is the only species able to rejuvenate repeatedly after sexual reproduction, becoming biologically immortal,” the paper authors write. “We have identified variants and expansions of genes associated with replication, DNA repair, telomere maintenance, redox environment, stem cell population, and intercellular communication.”

When it needs to repair itself or rejuvenate, the immortal jellyfish can reabsorb its tentacles, sink, and attach itself to the seafloor once more as a polyp. The jelly's telomeres, a sequence of DNA at the end of a chromosome which functions like the plastic at the end of a shoelace, do not become shorter over time. Typically, as cells divide, the telomeres become shorter. These are just several ways that the immortal jellyfish might offer insight into aging—and even immortality. Scientists hope future discoveries will shed light on techniques which might stave off aging and its symptoms, such as degenerative diseases.

Scientists have uncovered the gene that gives the immortal jellyfish its unnaturally long life.

The Turritopsis life cycle as illustrated in the late 19th century. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons, Public domain)

The jellyfish can re-do its own lifecycle, offering stunning insight into how knowledge of regenerative genes might be used in medicine.

h/t: [Futurism]

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READ: Scientists Uncover Key Gene of the Immortal Jellyfish That Makes Them Immortal