Scientists have discovered that there has been a dramatic rise in the number of hydrozoan jellyfish in the world’s seas. Why? They don’t die.
Dr. Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute, told press “We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion”
As explained by WorldHealth.net the Turritopsis jellyfish is able to use a process called trandifferentiation to return to its polyp state. The polyp state is the jellyfish’s first state of life. During the trandifferentiation cells become different things; so a muscle cell could become an egg.
Not only can this jellyfish turn back the clock by reverting to a younger stage; it can do so as often as it wants.
Furthermore (and I don’t believe Doctor Who can do this – not withstanding The Doctor Daughter) the jellyfish breed asexually so it only takes one to keep the line going.
Anyone else getting any Cthulhu vibes off this one? Doctor Who meets Jellyfish?
