In a remarkable discovery, scientists have observed two injured deep-sea jellyfish creatures merging together to form a single entity for the first time. The findings of this study, which have been published in the journal Current Biology, hold promise for advancements in the field of wound healing, according to researchers.
The creatures in question, known as comb jellies, are gelatinous animals that bear a resemblance to jellyfish and are found inhabiting the depths of oceans worldwide. Unlike typical jellyfish, comb jellies possess an anal pore for expelling digested food, distinguishing them with unique features in the animal kingdom.
The study was conducted by scientists who observed a group of comb jellies housed in a seawater tank within a laboratory setting. Amongst the population, an unusually large individual with uncommon characteristics was identified. This particular comb jelly exhibited two rare-end lobes and two apical organs, whereas the norm is to have just one of each.
Further investigations into this species revealed that over the course of a single night, two separate individuals seamlessly merged into one entity with no visible distinction between them, as noted by researchers. Notably, when one of the lobes was stimulated, the entire fused creature responded collectively, hinting at a shared nervous system and synchronised muscle contractions.
The scientists were astounded to find that within two hours, 95% of the fused animal’s muscle contractions were in perfect sync, indicating a high level of integration between the two individuals. Additionally, observations during feeding showed that the fused creature’s digestive system was also merged, with food particles travelling down a fused canal.
The implications of this phenomenon on the survival strategy of comb jellies remain a mystery to researchers, who hope further studies will shed light on this intriguing behaviour. The discovery also has the potential to enhance understanding of how the immune system identifies foreign entities and could have implications for research in regeneration and transplantation.
Dr Kei Jokura, one of the study’s co-authors from the University of Exeter, emphasised the importance of unravelling the molecular mechanisms behind this fusion for advancing critical areas of research. The findings of this study open up new avenues for exploration and could lead to significant developments in the fields of wound healing, transplantation, and regeneration.