Language
Country/Area
No result found
The mysterious life cycle of jellyfish: How do they reproduce?
Jellyfish, also known as jellyfish, is the medusa phase of some tentacled animals (Medusozoa). The diversity of these invertebrates and their complex life cycles are fascinating. Jellyfish swim freely in the ocean, although a few species are fixed to the seabed, unlike most jellyfish which can move freely. Their body consists of an umbrella-shaped body, called a bell, with several hanging tentacles.
The tentacles of jellyfish are covered with stinging cells. These cells are not only used to capture prey, but also have a defensive effect.
It’s surprising how jellyfish survive. They provide propulsion primarily through pulsating contractions of their bell-shaped bodies. Jellyfish living in the ocean have complex life cycles. The jellyfish form is usually the sexual stage of their reproduction, through which the planula larvae are released. The larvae are dispersed by currents and enter a quiescent polyp stage, possibly undergoing asexual reproduction before reaching sexual maturity.
Each step in this process reflects the way jellyfish have developed to adapt to the marine environment millions of years ago. Dating back to 500 or even 700 million years ago, jellyfish may be the oldest group of multi-organ animals.
According to research, the reproductive stage of jellyfish only lasts a few months and dies after reproduction, while the multibranch stage may survive for many years. This long life cycle and its reproductive ability are important factors for the continued reproduction of jellyfish.
Jellyfish feeding and ecological impact
In some cultures, jellyfish are a delicacy for humans, especially in some countries in Asia, where they are pressed and salted to become a delicacy. Researchers describe jellyfish as a "perfect food" that is not only sustainable, but also rich in protein and relatively low in calories.
Jellyfish are also used in the study of cell and molecular biology, especially the green fluorescent protein (GFP) of certain species, which played an important role in the development of fluorescence microscopy.
However, the stinging cells of jellyfish are harmful to humans. Every year, thousands of swimmers are injured by jellyfish stings, ranging from mild discomfort to severe injury or even death. When growing conditions are good, jellyfish will form vast colonies, causing damage to fishing equipment such as fishing nets, and even clogging the cooling systems of oil and desalination equipment. This ecological impact has attracted widespread attention.
Reclassification and evolution of jellyfish
The word jellyfish first appeared in 1796. With the development of scientific classification, its actual category is not clear. Different types of jellyfish, such as Scyphozoa, Cubozoa and Hydrozoa, have different structures and ecological functions, which makes the classification of jellyfish particularly complex.
In terms of biological evolution, jellyfish usually display a certain degree of symmetry and diversity during their life cycles, and these characteristics profoundly affect their ability to survive. With further research, jellyfish can be regarded as organisms with an important role in marine ecosystems, which is also based on the evolution of their visual systems. Some jellyfish even have visual abilities equivalent to those of vertebrates, based on their complex visual systems.
The visual systems of jellyfish display a high degree of diversity, from the most basic light-sensing cells to more complex image-forming eyes. The evolution of these systems may reveal subtle aspects of the evolution of life.
Not only that, the physiological structure of jellyfish is also quite unique. It lacks a specialized excretory system and circulatory system and relies on diffusion through its body surface for gas exchange and nutrient absorption. Such a lifestyle allows it to occupy a place in the ocean and successfully adapt to various living environments.
The dancing jellyfish linger in the depths of the ocean. How many unsolved mysteries are contained in their life cycles?
