The Immortal Jellyfish: The Animal That Can Never Die (Nearly)
The Immortal Jellyfish: The Animal That Can Never Die (Nearly) By Mr Yuan Turritopsis dohrnii, famously dubbed the "immortal jellyfish," is a remarkable species found in temperate to tropical waters around the world. This tiny jellyfish has a unique claim to fame: it’s one of the rare creatures capable of reversing its life cycle. After reaching sexual maturity as a solitary medusa, it can revert completely to a sexually immature, colony-forming polyp stage, defying the typical progression of aging (Wikipedia, 2025). Like other hydrozoans, T. dohrnii begins life as a free-swimming larva called a planula. Once the planula settles on the sea floor, it transforms into a colony of polyps that are genetically identical clones. These polyps form a highly branched structure, unlike most jellyfish, and eventually bud off into medusae—the free-swimming adult jellyfish we recognize. Upon reaching sexual maturity, these medusae actively prey on other jellyfish species, showcasing their ...
