Head Bender....

This was in todays paper accross the pond. Incredible....

'Immortal' jellyfish swarming across the world An 'immortal' jellyfish is swarming through the world's oceans, according to scientists.

Last Updated: 12:26PM GMT 27 Jan 2009

An 'immortal' jellyfish is swarming through the world's oceans, according to scientists. Photo: BARCROFT The Turritopsis Nutricula is able to revert back to a juvenile form once it mates after becoming sexually mature.

Marine biologists say the jellyfish numbers are rocketing because they need not die.

Dr Maria Miglietta of the Smithsonian Tropical Marine Institute said: "We are looking at a worldwide silent invasion."

The jellyfish are originally from the Caribbean but have spready all over the world.

Turritopsis Nutricula is technically known as a hydrozoan and is the only known animal that is capable of reverting completely to its younger self.

It does this through the cell development process of transdifferentiation.

Scientists believe the cycle can repeat indefinitely, rendering it potentially immortal.

While most members of the jellyfish family usually die after propagating, the Turritopsis nutricula has developed the unique ability to return to a polyp state.

Having stumbled upon the font of eternal youth, this tiny creature which is just 5mm long is the focus of many intricate studies by marine biologists and geneticists to see exactly how it manages to literally reverse its aging process.

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pgriz:

Stop it your scaring me. :huh:>>>

So let me get this straight every time they have sex they turn into a kid again! I always wondered why my wife always says i'll never grow up! LMAOO!! lol>>>

The myth of Sisyphus...imagine having to grow those same tentacles again and again forever. Oh, no...back to the polyp state again. Once sentient they would necessarily become Hindu. Starfish devouring urchins, bacterial strains exploding into pandemics...what a strange world we have going here. The top of the food chain may just not be the safest place to be these days. (btw, tks for the b-day grtngs, Paul. Had a great day.)>>>

Very interesting... While poking around at the link you provided, Jed, I noticed a line about the RAF trying to shoot down UFO's. Maybe the little green men took offence at being shot at and did a little genetic engineering before leaving. First step, make an organism immortal so that it won't lose knowledge and experience, second step, make it spread around, third step, make it sentient... Looks like steps 1 and 2 are done, now the genetic trigger for step 3 is waiting for the signal... (cue in the there from the "outer limits" show) :huh:>>>

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/4357829/Immortal-jellyfish-swarming-across-the-world.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/wildlife/4357829/Immortal-jellyfish-swarming-across-the-world.html>>>