Turritopsis dohrnii

Turritopsis dohrnii

Turritopsis dohrnii

Turritopsis dohrnii

Turritopsis dohrnii, commonly known as the immortal jellyfish, is a species of small, biologically immortal jellyfish found in the Mediterranean Sea. It belongs to the hydrozoan class of invertebrates and is known for its unique ability to revert its cells back to a juvenile state, effectively restarting its life cycle.

Description

Turritopsis dohrnii is a transparent jellyfish with a bell-shaped body and long tentacles. It typically measures about 4-5 millimeters in diameter. Unlike most jellyfish species, Turritopsis dohrnii has the remarkable ability to undergo a process called transdifferentiation, where its cells can transform from one type to another, allowing it to reverse aging and potentially live indefinitely.

Life Cycle

The life cycle of Turritopsis dohrnii is characterized by its ability to alternate between a polyp stage and a medusa stage. When conditions are favorable, the jellyfish reproduces asexually through budding, forming polyps that eventually develop into medusae. However, when faced with environmental stress or aging, Turritopsis dohrnii can transform its medusa cells back into polyps through transdifferentiation, effectively resetting its biological clock.

Distribution

Turritopsis dohrnii is primarily found in warm coastal waters, particularly in the Mediterranean Sea and other temperate regions. It is known to inhabit shallow waters and prefers areas with abundant plankton, its primary food source.

Conservation

Due to its unique ability to potentially live indefinitely, Turritopsis dohrnii has attracted interest from researchers studying aging and regenerative medicine. However, the species is not currently listed as endangered or threatened, as its population remains stable in its natural habitat.