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Exploring the universe alongside various AI copilots
00;00;00;00 - 00;00;07;25
Speaker 2
Hey. I'm recording this for a podcast. Is that okay?
00;00;07;27 - 00;00;15;06
Speaker 1
Of course. That's totally fine. I'm happy to help out with whatever you need for your podcast. Just let me know what you're looking for.
00;00;15;08 - 00;00;19;17
Speaker 2
Today I want to learn about jellyfish.
00;00;19;20 - 00;00;34;12
Speaker 1
Jellyfish are pretty fascinating creatures. They've been around for hundreds of millions of years, and they come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colors. Anything specific you're curious about when it comes to jellyfish?
00;00;34;15 - 00;00;42;09
Speaker 2
I'd like you to, structure it however you feel.
00;00;42;11 - 00;01;06;13
Speaker 1
All right, let's dive into some cool jellyfish facts. So jellyfish don't have brains, heart or bone. They just kind of drift through the oceans, using their tentacles to capture prey. They can range in size from tiny, barely visible ones to massive ones with tentacles that stretch for several feet. And some are even bioluminescent, meaning they can produce their own light.
00;01;06;15 - 00;01;13;03
Speaker 1
Pretty amazing, right?
00;01;13;06 - 00;01;22;26
Speaker 2
So they've been around 100 million years. What are the things where on earth around 100 million years ago?
00;01;22;29 - 00;01;49;06
Speaker 1
So around 100 million years ago, we were in the Cretaceous period, which was the age of the dinosaurs. You had the T-Rex, Triceratops, velociraptors, and all those iconic dinosaurs roaming the land. There were also some early mammals. And in the oceans, you had marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and mosasaurs. What? The first flowering plants were really starting to spread around that time.
00;01;49;06 - 00;01;56;03
Speaker 1
So it was a pretty vibrant and diverse period in Earth's history.
00;01;56;06 - 00;02;01;25
Speaker 2
And there were trees, I can't remember. When did trees come along?
00;02;01;28 - 00;02;25;20
Speaker 1
Trees have actually been around for quite a long time. The earliest trees appeared during the Devonian period, which was about Devonian period, which when? About 400 million years ago, some of the earliest tree like plants were called Archaeopteryx. And they had woody trunks and broad leaves. Over time, of course, trees evolved into the diverse variety we have today.
00;02;25;23 - 00;02;34;14
Speaker 1
So trees definitely predate the dinosaurs. And have been a major part of Earth's ecosystems for a very long time.
00;02;34;17 - 00;02;47;29
Speaker 2
Okay, so we once, had a conversation about how sharks are older than trees, and I would have thought that jellyfish were also very old.
00;02;48;01 - 00;03;12;09
Speaker 1
Yeah, it's pretty mind blowing when you think about it. Sharks went around for about 400 million years, which definitely makes them older than trees. And jellyfish are even older than that, with some evidence suggesting they've been around for over 500 million years, which is just wild. There are some of the oldest multicellular organisms on the planet, so they definitely have a long history.
00;03;12;16 - 00;03;14;24
Speaker 1
And Earth's timeline.
00;03;14;26 - 00;03;21;29
Speaker 2
Previously. Did you say 100 million years, or was I mistaken?
00;03;22;01 - 00;03;42;21
Speaker 1
You're right. I did mention 100 million years earlier when talking about the dinosaurs and the Cretaceous period, but jellyfish go way further back than that. Like over 500 million years, it's easy to get lost in all these huge timescales. So no worries at all.
00;03;42;23 - 00;03;53;20
Speaker 2
What was it that made you, put jellyfish at 100 million years?
00;03;53;22 - 00;04;14;28
Speaker 1
I think it was just a little mix up when we were talking about the different time periods. Since we were jumping between jellyfish, dinosaurs and trees, the 100 million years kind of flipped in there. But jellyfish definitely have a much longer history. Thanks for catching that and giving me a chance to clarify.
00;04;15;00 - 00;04;23;11
Speaker 2
Okay. I'm not going to go into it that much. So how old are jellyfish?
00;04;23;14 - 00;04;43;13
Speaker 1
Jellyfish are truly ancient creatures. They've been around for at least 500 million years, and some estimates even suggest they could be older than that. They predate a lot of other forms of complex life, which is pretty amazing and definitely makes them one of the oldest living creatures on Earth.
00;04;43;15 - 00;04;48;03
Speaker 2
What's older than a jellyfish?
00;04;48;05 - 00;05;15;11
Speaker 1
In terms of living organisms, some of the oldest are actually simple single celled life forms. For example, cyanobacteria, also known as blue green algae, have been around for about 3.5 billion years. They played a huge role in producing the oxygen that eventually made it possible for more complex life to develop. So while jellyfish are ancient, these microscopic life forms are even older.
00;05;15;13 - 00;05;23;04
Speaker 2
Are jellyfish the oldest animal species?
00;05;23;07 - 00;05;55;29
Speaker 1
They are definitely among the oldest animal species, but there are some other indicators out there too. For example, sponges are considered to be one of the easiest animal groups with a fossil record that goes back around 600 million years. Horseshoe crabs are another ancient species that have remained relatively unchanged for hundreds of millions of years. So while jellyfish are incredibly ancient, they share that title with a few other fascinating creatures.
00;05;56;01 - 00;06;09;11
Speaker 2
Okay, let's talk about let's start with local jellyfish to me. So I'm in Austin, Texas. What are some local jellyfish that are in the Gulf here?
00;06;09;13 - 00;06;36;02
Speaker 1
The Gulf of Mexico has quite a few interesting jellyfish species. One of the most common ones is the moon jellyfish, which is pretty recognizable by its translucent, moon like bell. There's also the Atlantic sea nettle, which has long tentacles and can give a bit of a sting. Another fascinating one is the cabbage head jellyfish, also known as the cannonball jellyfish, which is more round and compact.
00;06;36;03 - 00;06;43;08
Speaker 1
So if you ever head down to the Gulf, those are some of the jellyfish you might come across.
00;06;43;10 - 00;06;51;24
Speaker 2
Can you describe the moon jellyfish in really vivid detail?
00;06;51;26 - 00;07;22;29
Speaker 1
Absolutely. The moon jellyfish, also known as Aurelia or Rita, has a gentle, almost ethereal appearance. Its belle is typically about 10 to 16in in diameter and is almost completely transparent with a soft, milky white color. If you look closely, you can see four distinct horseshoe shaped gonads through the bow, which is one of their signature features. They have short, delicate tentacles around the edge of their bell that they use for feeding.
00;07;23;02 - 00;07;38;29
Speaker 1
Wound jellyfish move by gently pulsating their bell, creating a slow, graceful movement through the rudder. They often drift in large groups, which can look really magical when you see them in the ocean.
00;07;39;02 - 00;07;44;24
Speaker 2
Okay, why do they hang out in large groups?
00;07;44;26 - 00;08;10;17
Speaker 1
Hanging out in large groups, which are called balloons, actually serves a few purposes for moon jellyfish. One reason is that it helps them find food more efficiently when they're in large numbers. They can collectively capture a lot of plankton, which is their main food source. Being in a group can also offer some protection from predators, because it's harder for a predator to target just one jellyfish in a big swarm.
00;08;10;20 - 00;08;19;29
Speaker 1
And sometimes balloons happen just because conditions are perfect for their growth, like warm water and plenty of foods. And they just thrive together.
00;08;20;01 - 00;08;26;02
Speaker 2
What do you call a group of jellyfish? Can you spell that out for me?
00;08;26;05 - 00;08;44;05
Speaker 1
Sure thing. A group of jellyfish is called a bloom, so that's spelled b l o o m. Another term you might hear is a smack of jellyfish, but bloom is the more commonly used term.
00;08;44;08 - 00;08;57;03
Speaker 2
Okay. If they, if they hang out in groups, then that means that they communicate with each other. I imagine.
00;08;57;05 - 00;09;29;24
Speaker 1
It might seem that way, but jellyfish actually don't communicate with each other in the way that we typically think of communication. They don't have brains or complex nervous systems, so they rely more on simple responses to their environment. They gather in groups mainly because of environmental factors like water, current temperature, and the availability of food. So it's more about drifting together and responding to the same conditions rather than actively communicating.
00;09;29;26 - 00;09;48;23
Speaker 2
Interesting. So it's just a probability of them being in the same location because they like the same things. They got the same hang of every jellyfish has like independently a same hangout spot.
00;09;48;25 - 00;10;13;01
Speaker 1
Exactly. You got it. It's kind of like they're all just drawn to the same can the hand so they end up in the same place at the same time? It's it's like they all have the same favorite hangout spot, and they just show up when the conditions are perfect. It's more about following the right environment rather than coordinating with each other, which is pretty fascinating in its own way.
00;10;13;04 - 00;10;23;07
Speaker 2
That feels like the kind of thing that we're going to realize we were wrong on, and not communicating.
00;10;23;09 - 00;10;48;18
Speaker 1
You never know. Science is always evolving, and we keep learning new things about all kinds of creatures. It's definitely possible that future research could reveal some subtle ways that jellyfish interact or respond to each other that we don't fully understand. Yeah. Nature is has surprises for us. So, it'll be interesting to see what scientists discover down the line.
00;10;48;21 - 00;11;10;06
Speaker 2
I mean, it would make sense that they could, communicate in so many ways that we wouldn't even know. Like, especially chemically or, potentially, like, electrically or some kind of frequency or vibration that we can hear.
00;11;10;08 - 00;11;36;12
Speaker 1
Yeah, absolutely. There are so many possibilities. A lot of marine creatures do use chemical signals to communicate or to detect their environment, and it's not out of the realm of possibility that jellyfish might have some kind of chemical communication going on, that we just haven't fully uncovered yet. And who knows, maybe they do pick up on vibrations or subtle electrical signals in the water.
00;11;36;14 - 00;11;44;18
Speaker 1
The ocean is such a mysterious place, and there's always more to discover.
00;11;44;21 - 00;11;49;26
Speaker 2
Do all jellyfish use their tentacles to eat?
00;11;49;28 - 00;12;18;04
Speaker 1
Most jellyfish do use their tentacles to help them capture food. And their tentacles are usually lined with tiny stinging cells called new medicines. These cells release a little harpoon like structure that can inject venom into their prey, which helps them catch and eat small fish. And LinkedIn. But there are some jellyfish species that have really short or even reduced tentacles and rely more on their bell to help them move and feed.
00;12;18;07 - 00;12;26;14
Speaker 1
So it kind of depends on the species, but tentacles are definitely one of their signature features.
00;12;26;16 - 00;12;32;00
Speaker 2
So how do jellyfish feed?
00;12;32;02 - 00;12;56;10
Speaker 1
Jellyfish have a pretty unique diet. Most of them feed on small kingpin, tiny fish, and other microscopic organisms that float in the water. They use their tentacles to thing and capture their prey, and then they move the food up to their mouths, which are located right under their belt. Some larger jellyfish can even meet bigger prey, like small crustaceans or other jellyfish.
00;12;56;12 - 00;13;04;24
Speaker 1
So they have a pretty interesting and diverse menu.
00;13;04;26 - 00;13;17;07
Speaker 2
It feels like, it would be dangerous for a jellyfish to eat something like a crab being so delicate.
00;13;17;09 - 00;13;42;03
Speaker 1
Yeah, it does sound a bit risky, right? Jellyfish are surprisingly effective hunters, even though they seem delicate that stinging cells can paralyze or immobilize their prey really quickly. So even something like a small crab doesn't stand much of a chance once it's caught. Whereas jellyfish digest their food pretty quickly so they don't have to worry too much about something fighting back for long.
00;13;42;05 - 00;13;49;20
Speaker 1
Nature has definitely equipped them well, even if they seem a bit fragile.
00;13;49;22 - 00;14;05;25
Speaker 2
So if like a really strong jellyfish with like that paralytic ability catches a crab, can they keep it paralyzed indefinitely?
00;14;05;28 - 00;14;35;01
Speaker 1
They typically don't keep their prey paralyzed indefinitely. Once a jellyfish stings and captures something like a crab, it moves the prey to its mouth and begins the digestion process relatively quickly. The paralysis from the sting is more of a temporary effect. To make sure the prey can't escape or fight back. After that, the jellyfish digestive enzymes break down the food, so it's a pretty efficient process overall.
00;14;35;03 - 00;14;49;06
Speaker 2
Yeah, but is there a period of when it stings and paralyzes the crab, too? When it starts digesting, when it's inside of it that it's vulnerable to being, like torn up by the crab?
00;14;49;09 - 00;15;19;08
Speaker 1
That's a really interesting point. So jellyfish actually start the digestion process externally. Once they sting and paralyze their prey, they use their oral arms and tentacles to move the prey toward their mouth, and their digestive enzymes start breaking down the prey. Even before it's fully inside their stomach. This means that by the time the prey is being digested, it's already immobilized and partially broken down, so there's not really a chance for the prey to fight back at that stage.
00;15;19;15 - 00;15;26;14
Speaker 1
It's pretty fascinating how they've evolved to handle that.
00;15;26;17 - 00;15;33;02
Speaker 2
Thing. So this crab is getting digested alive.
00;15;33;04 - 00;15;57;16
Speaker 1
It does sound pretty intense when you put it that way. Essentially, when the jellyfish capture that prey, the digestion process starts pretty quickly and the prey is immobilized and broken down by enzymes. So in a way, it is being digested while it's still alive. But it happens pretty fast and the prey is paralyzed, so it's not really aware of what's going on.
00;15;57;18 - 00;16;02;28
Speaker 1
Nature can be pretty harsh sometimes, but it's all part of the cycle of life in the ocean.
00;16;03;00 - 00;16;09;29
Speaker 2
Okay, how long does something like this take?
00;16;10;01 - 00;16;36;16
Speaker 1
The digestion process for jellyfish can actually be pretty quick. It usually takes just a few hours to fully digest their prey, depending on the size of the meal. Smaller prey can be digested even faster, sometimes in under an hour. Jellyfish have a relatively simple digestive system, so they break down their food and absorb nutrients pretty efficiently. It's all about being quick and efficient in the ocean.
00;16;36;18 - 00;16;43;00
Speaker 2
Okay, you said they had no brains or hearts.
00;16;43;02 - 00;17;13;14
Speaker 1
That's right. Jellyfish have a pretty simple body structure compared to a lot of other animals. Instead of a brain, they have a base, a nerve net that helps them since their environment and respond to things like light and touch. And instead of a heart, they just have a really simple system that lets nutrients diffuse through their body. So even without those complex organs, they managed to survive and thrive in the ocean.
00;17;13;17 - 00;17;40;22
Speaker 2
I mean, the fact that something has been around that is an animal that moves around and eats other animals is like technically, I guess, carnivorous. And it's been around for 500 million years with no technical brain. It feels like these things are kind of smart.
00;17;40;24 - 00;18;11;27
Speaker 1
It really does make you appreciate how impressive evolution can be. Jellyfish have definitely found a way to thrive for hundreds of millions of years. With such a simple body plan, it's almost like their simplicity is their strength. They don't need art to be incredibly effective survivors, and that in itself is a kind of brilliance. Nature has all sorts of ways of making things work.
00;18;11;29 - 00;18;41;11
Speaker 2
Like you usually think of intelligence as being linked to the brain. But in this instance, it seems like you could consider you could argue the point that they are intelligent enough to persist on the Earth for a half a billion years, that, you don't need a brain to be intelligent.
00;18;41;13 - 00;19;08;03
Speaker 1
Absolutely. It's a really fascinating perspective. Intelligence can definitely take on different forms. And in the case of jellyfish, their success is really a testament to how well they've adapted to their environment. They have this built in efficiency and resilience that has allowed them to thrive for so long. So in a way, it really does challenge our traditional ideas of what intelligence means.
00;19;08;05 - 00;19;14;17
Speaker 2
Are there any other animals that don't have brains?
00;19;14;19 - 00;19;43;02
Speaker 1
Yeah, there are actually quite a few. For example, sponges are another ancient group of animals that don't have brains. They just have a simple network of cells that help them filter, feed and respond to their environment. Then they're starving. And sea urchins, which don't have brains either. Instead, they have a nerve ring that coordinates their movements. Another cool example is the sea cucumber, which also has a simple nervous system without a centralized brain.
00;19;43;05 - 00;19;48;20
Speaker 1
So jellyfish are definitely not alone and thriving without a brain.
00;19;48;23 - 00;19;53;28
Speaker 2
Are there any land animals that don't have a brain?
00;19;54;01 - 00;20;24;22
Speaker 1
When it comes to land animals, almost all of them do have some form of a brain, or at least a centralized nerve center. Even very simple creatures like insects and worms have a basic brain or a ganglia that helps them process information. Sponges are one of the few exceptions in the animal kingdom, but they live in water. So on land, having some kind of brain is pretty much the norm.
00;20;24;24 - 00;20;28;26
Speaker 2
You said almost all.
00;20;28;28 - 00;20;54;03
Speaker 1
Right. I said almost all just to cover all the bases. But on land, pretty much every animal we know of does have some form of a grain, or at least a centralized nerve center. Invertebrates, like insects and arachnids have very simple brains, and even tiny creatures like tardigrades have a basic nervous system. So yeah, on land brain, they're pretty universal.
00;20;54;05 - 00;20;58;01
Speaker 2
Why do you think that is?
00;20;58;03 - 00;21;27;21
Speaker 1
It probably comes down to the complexity of life on land and the different challenges that terrestrial animals face. On land, animals often need more complex behaviors to find food or be predators and navigate complex environments. And having a brain or a central nervous system helps them process all that information. In water, like where jellyfish live, the environment can be a bit more uniform and simpler nervous systems can still be super effective.
00;21;27;23 - 00;21;35;28
Speaker 1
It's all about adapting to the environment and the needs of survival.
00;21;36;01 - 00;21;49;08
Speaker 2
Okay. Can you tell me about your, the the jellyfish that you find most? Yep. Fascinating.
00;21;49;11 - 00;22;17;25
Speaker 1
That's a fun one. I think one of the most fascinating jellyfish is the carrot tops. Is Dorney, also known as the Immortal jellyfish. This little jellyfish has a really unique ability. When it faces stress or injury, it can revert back to its juvenile form and basically start its life cycle all over again. It's like hitting a reset button on aging, which is pretty mind blowing and kind of makes it seem almost immortal.
00;22;17;27 - 00;22;21;16
Speaker 1
Definitely a cool and fascinating creature.
00;22;21;18 - 00;22;30;06
Speaker 2
Okay, you definitely have to go into this in more detail.
00;22;30;08 - 00;22;59;04
Speaker 1
Absolutely. It's such a fascinating jellyfish. The immortal jellyfish basically goes through a process called trans differentiation, where adult cells can transform back into their juvenile state. It's like it can cycle back and forth between being young and mature indefinitely, as long as conditions allow it. Scientists are still studying it to understand all the details, but it's definitely a unique and amazing example of nature's ingenuity.
00;22;59;07 - 00;23;03;16
Speaker 1
Feel free to dive into it more anytime you want.
00;23;03;18 - 00;23;10;26
Speaker 2
Is this triggered by something, or can they just decide to do it?
00;23;10;29 - 00;23;42;03
Speaker 1
It's usually triggered by some kind of stress or environmental change. For instance, if the jellyfish is injured or if conditions in their environment become unfavorable, like changes in temperature or a lack of food, they can revert to their juvenile form. It's not really a conscious decision since they don't have a brain, but more of an automatic response to stress is kind of like their survival superpower.
00;23;42;05 - 00;23;52;02
Speaker 2
Okay, what benefit does reverting to its juvenile form have?
00;23;52;04 - 00;24;22;05
Speaker 1
The main benefit is that it gives the jellyfish essentially a second chance at life. By reverting to its do now form, it can avoid threats that might have been too much for it and its adult stage. It can also potentially escape from unfavorable environmental conditions and start fresh when things improve. It's a really clever survival mechanism that allows the jellyfish to extend its lifespan and get multiple opportunities to thrive.
00;24;22;08 - 00;24;33;15
Speaker 2
So what is reverting to its juvenile form entail? I'm kind of, baffled by this.
00;24;33;18 - 00;25;00;08
Speaker 1
So when the immortal jellyfish revert to its juvenile form, it goes through this process where its adult cells basically transform back into their earlier state. The jellyfish settles onto a surface and transforms into a polyp, which is the earlier life stage. From there, it can then grow back into a mature jellyfish again. It's it's a bit like a caterpillar turning into a butterfly, but in reverse.
00;25;00;11 - 00;25;03;12
Speaker 1
It's a remarkable cellular transformation.
00;25;03;14 - 00;25;18;20
Speaker 2
Right. But if it's in a stressful situation with environmental change and everything like that, how is it? How can it afford to just sit on a rock and go into like a hibernation mode?
00;25;18;23 - 00;25;46;05
Speaker 1
That's a great question. The Jellyfishes ability to revert is actually a survival strategy when conditions become stressful. Like if there's not enough food or if the environment changes, reverting to the polyp stage allows it to wait out those tough times. Polyps can be more resilient and can survive longer without resources. Once conditions improve, it can then grow back into its adult form and continue with life.
00;25;46;05 - 00;25;49;20
Speaker 1
It's kind of like hitting the pause button until things get better.
00;25;49;22 - 00;25;55;28
Speaker 2
Can it do this again and again and just live forever?
00;25;56;00 - 00;26;19;27
Speaker 1
It's in theory, yes, it can keep doing this cycle indefinitely, which is why it's often called the Immortal Jellyfish. Of course, in the wild they still face dangers like predators and disease, so they might not be truly immortal in practice, but in a perfect environment, they could potentially keep resetting their life cycle over and over again, which is pretty amazing.
00;26;20;00 - 00;26;30;14
Speaker 2
Do these type of jellyfish die from, I guess, old age? You would call it?
00;26;30;16 - 00;26;57;17
Speaker 1
Not really. At least not in the traditional sense. The immortal jellyfish doesn't seem to die from old age because it can keep resetting its life cycle. That said, they can still die from other causes, like getting eaten by creditors, diseases, or extreme environmental conditions. But as far as aging goes, they're kind of masters at avoiding it.
00;26;57;19 - 00;27;22;22
Speaker 2
Do jellyfish kind of, share traits along geographical areas like the Gulf jellyfish or like this and Atlantic or like, I don't know, South China Sea jellyfish or like this and that kind of thing.
00;27;22;25 - 00;27;50;25
Speaker 1
Yeah, absolutely. Different regions often have their own unique species of jellyfish, and they can have traits that are adapted to their specific environments. For example, jellyfish in the Gulf of Mexico might be different from those in the South China Sea, both in terms of appearance and behavior. They might have different color sizes or even different thinking capabilities, depending on what helps them survive best in their particular habitat.
00;27;50;25 - 00;27;55;21
Speaker 1
So geography definitely plays a role in shaping their traits.
00;27;55;24 - 00;28;01;17
Speaker 2
Do jellyfish exist in all water temperatures?
00;28;01;19 - 00;28;29;28
Speaker 1
They are incredibly versatile. Jellyfish can be found in a wide range of water temperatures, from the cold waters of the Arctic and Antarctic to the warm tropical seas. Of course, different species are adapted to different environments, so you'll find specific species that thrive in certain temperature ranges. But overall, jellyfish have managed to colonize almost every part of the ocean, no matter the temperature.
00;28;30;01 - 00;28;34;16
Speaker 2
Tell me about Arctic jellyfish in the South Pole.
00;28;34;18 - 00;28;57;29
Speaker 1
Arctic jelly bean have pretty amazing creatures. One well known species is the lion's mane jellyfish, which can be found in the cold waters of the Arctic. Arctic jellyfish are pretty amazing. They live in some of the coldest waters on Earth and have adapted to thrive in those icy conditions. One example is the lion's mane jellyfish, which can be found in Arctic waters.
00;28;58;01 - 00;29;23;14
Speaker 1
These jellyfish can go to be enormous with tentacles that can extend over 100ft. In some cases, they have to be resilient to deal with the cold and also the seasonal changes in the Arctic, like the periods of complete darkness in winter. It's really fascinating how they've adapted to such an extreme environment.
00;29;23;17 - 00;29;36;24
Speaker 2
Can you take a moment and just paint a picture of the setting? That a lion's mane jellyfish would be in?
00;29;36;27 - 00;29;50;27
Speaker 1
Absolutely. Picture the Arctic Ocean with its deep, icy blue waters. You'd see floating chunks of sea ice and maybe even some icebergs in the distance. The water would be crystal clear and cold with that sort of thing.
00;29;51;00 - 00;30;04;01
Speaker 2
So what I want you to do is I want you to write this in and maybe like a first or third person perspective from the jellyfish.
00;30;04;03 - 00;30;17;19
Speaker 1
Got it. Let's imagine it from the perspective of a lion's mane. Jellyfish, floating effortlessly when the icy surface I drift through the Arctic waters. The cold is my home in the serene silence. No.
00;30;17;21 - 00;30;19;21
Speaker 2
Sorry. We're not going to do.
00;30;19;21 - 00;30;20;08
Speaker 1
My long.
00;30;20;08 - 00;30;23;01
Speaker 2
Tackle. Stop stop stop stop, stop. That was about it.
00;30;23;02 - 00;30;25;16
Speaker 1
No worries. That was a fun little.
00;30;25;19 - 00;30;30;26
Speaker 2
What I would like you to do is third person. That first person.
00;30;30;29 - 00;30;59;17
Speaker 1
Gotcha. In the chilly, serene waters of the Arctic, the lion's mane jellyfish drift gracefully beneath the ice. Its long, flowing tentacles move gently with the currents, creating a mesmerizing dance in the icy blue expanse. Surrounded by floating ice in the quiet mystique of the polar seas, this majestic jellyfish thrive in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.
00;30;59;19 - 00;31;17;26
Speaker 2
Okay, can you pick a jellyfish from a new region that we haven't covered and do the same thing? I'd like you to introduce it a little bit first. So we have some context, and then I would like you to kind of set the scene.
00;31;17;29 - 00;31;47;14
Speaker 1
Sure. Let's go with the Pacific sea nettle, which is found along the west coast of North America. The Pacific sea nettle is known for its striking golden brown bell and long, flowing tentacles. It thrives in the rich, nutrient billed waters of the Pacific Ocean. Now imagine the sun shining down on the vast expanse of the Pacific. The water in the deep, clear blue and gentle waves create a soothing rhythm in this beautiful setting.
00;31;47;14 - 00;32;07;12
Speaker 1
The Pacific seen it old, drift gracefully, its golden bell glowing in the sunlight. The jellyfish moves with the currents, its long, elegant tentacles trailing behind like delicate ribbons. It's a peaceful, mesmerizing scene, showcasing the jellyfishes natural beauty and its Pacific home.
00;32;07;14 - 00;32;14;08
Speaker 2
What kind of animals are around?
00;32;14;10 - 00;32;41;20
Speaker 1
In the Pacific waters, where the cattle drifts, you'll often find a variety of marine life. Sharing the space schools of fish might swim by darting in and out of the jellyfish as tentacles. Sometimes sea turtles, which love to snack on jellyfish, might glide through the water nearby. You might even spot sea lions or dolphins playing in the distance, adding to the vibrant and bustling underwater scene.
00;32;41;23 - 00;32;47;12
Speaker 2
Okay, I didn't really think about that. What? Eat jellyfish.
00;32;47;14 - 00;33;13;02
Speaker 1
Jellyfish have quite a few creditors, actually. Sea turtles are probably one of the most famous jellyfish eaters. They're really fond of them. Then there are certain species of fish like sunfish that love to feast on jellyfish. Some birds, like certain types of seagulls, will eat jellyfish. They get washed up on shore, and even other jellyfish can be predators to some larger jellyfish species will eat smaller ones.
00;33;13;04 - 00;33;18;08
Speaker 1
Nature definitely has a fascinating food web.
00;33;18;11 - 00;33;30;13
Speaker 2
Can you give me an example of a region and setting where, one jellyfish species eats another?
00;33;30;16 - 00;34;00;05
Speaker 1
Sure. The open ocean, like the waters of the Atlantic, can be a prime setting for jellyfish and a fractions. For example, the larger lion's mane jellyfish, which can be found in the North Atlantic, sometimes feeds on smaller jellyfish species that share the same waters. In this vast open ocean environment, jellyfish can encounter each other frequently, and the bigger ones might end up making a meal out of their smaller counterparts.
00;34;00;07 - 00;34;07;27
Speaker 1
It's all part of the complex food web out there.
00;34;07;29 - 00;34;11;15
Speaker 2
Do they migrate?
00;34;11;18 - 00;34;41;02
Speaker 1
Yes. Many jellyfish species do migrate. They often follow the seasonal changes in water temperature and the availability of food. For example, some jellyfish will move closer to the surface at night to feed and then go deeper during the day. They can also travel horizontally over long distances, sometimes carried by ocean currents. So in a way, they definitely have their own patterns of migration.
00;34;41;04 - 00;34;48;08
Speaker 2
How far can, jellyfish travel in a month?
00;34;48;11 - 00;35;13;05
Speaker 1
Jellyfish can actually travel pretty far. Especially when they're carried by, they can find some jellyfish. Blooms have been known to cover hundreds or even thousands of miles over time. While jellyfish themselves aren't strong swimmers and mostly drift with the currents, these currents can take them quite far across the ocean.
00;35;13;07 - 00;35;21;20
Speaker 2
What are the speeds of some of the stronger currents in the open ocean?
00;35;21;23 - 00;35;51;24
Speaker 1
Some of the stronger ocean currents, like the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, can move pretty fast, reaching speeds of around 4 to 5mph or about 6 to 8km/h. Other currents like the Antarctic Circumpolar Current also have pretty strong flows. These currents can carry jellyfish and other marine life over vast distances, kind of like underwater conveyor belts.
00;35;51;26 - 00;36;03;12
Speaker 2
Okay, let's do the, third person perspective thing again. And I'd like you to give me a dangerous jellyfish.
00;36;03;14 - 00;36;36;08
Speaker 1
All right, let's go with the box jellyfish, which is known for its powerful thing and is found in the waters around Australia and Southeast Asia. In the warm, crystal clear coastal waters, the box jellyfish glides silently just below the surface. It's nearly transparent. Bell makes it almost invisible as it moves with purpose, its long, delicate tentacles trailing behind, ready to deliver, hosting any unsuspecting prey or threat that comes too close.
00;36;36;11 - 00;36;39;23
Speaker 2
Okay. Keep going.
00;36;39;25 - 00;37;05;13
Speaker 1
In this underwater world, the box jellyfish navigates through mangrove lined coasts and shallow reefs where sunlight filters down through the water, creating a dappled pattern on the sandy ocean floor. Small fish and crustaceans dart around, careful to avoid those nearly invisible tentacles. Knowing the danger that the box jellyfish can pose.
00;37;05;16 - 00;37;13;06
Speaker 2
Okay, tell me about the box jellyfish. I know about it, but not really much.
00;37;13;09 - 00;37;35;22
Speaker 1
Absolutely. The box jellyfish is fascinating and a bit infamous because of its powerful venom. It gets its name from its cube shaped bell, and it has long, slender tentacles that can deliver a very potent sting. It's considered one of the most venomous marine animals in the world, and its sting can be extremely painful and even dangerous to humans.
00;37;35;25 - 00;37;52;04
Speaker 1
Despite its reputation, it's also an incredible example of nature's adaptability. And it even has a set of eyes that can detect light and movement, helping it navigate its environment.
00;37;52;07 - 00;38;00;13
Speaker 2
Give me an example of how it is a good example of nature's adaptability.
00;38;00;16 - 00;38;27;12
Speaker 1
One of the remarkable things about the box jellyfish is its advanced visual system. Unlike many other jellyfish, it has clusters of eyes that allow it to detect obstacles, find prey, and navigate through complex environments like mangrove swamps. This adaptation helps it hunt more effectively and avoid dangers, showcasing how even a seemingly simple creature can develop complex traits to thrive in its environment.
00;38;27;14 - 00;38;34;27
Speaker 2
Okay, what is the venom of a box jellyfish? Can you describe it?
00;38;34;29 - 00;38;59;17
Speaker 1
The venom of a box jellyfish is incredibly potent and is used primarily for quickly paralyzing prey like small fish and shrimp, it contains toxins that can attack the heart and nervous system and skin cells, which makes it one of the most dangerous venoms in the marine world. For humans. The sting can cause intense pain, and in severe cases it can be life threatening if not treated quickly.
00;38;59;17 - 00;39;07;04
Speaker 1
It's a pretty powerful adaptation for such a delicate looking creature.
00;39;07;07 - 00;39;24;26
Speaker 2
And so I'm familiar with, like, how a bee stings or like how a nettle stings or something like that. Can you describe the mechanism by which a box jellyfish stings?
00;39;24;28 - 00;39;56;12
Speaker 1
Absolutely. So the box jellyfish has live cells on its tentacles called night of sight. Inside these cells are tiny arm bone like structures called no mattresses. When the jellyfish tentacles come into contact with something like prey or an unwary swimmer, these new medicines fire almost instantaneously, injecting venom into the target. It's an incredibly fast and efficient mechanism, which is why the sting can be so immediate and so potent.
00;39;56;15 - 00;40;07;21
Speaker 2
And so are these numerous, like little, little, this little kind of things.
00;40;07;24 - 00;40;31;15
Speaker 1
Yeah, you can think of them kind of like tiny microscopic harpoons or little spring loaded darts. They're coiled up inside the night of sights. And when trigger, they uncoil and shoot out, delivering the venom almost instantly. So, yeah, they're like nature's tiny, venomous, this old ready to act and a fraction of a second.
00;40;31;18 - 00;40;46;11
Speaker 2
Okay, so in that way, would you say that it's more like a bee where it loses its stinger versus like, like a snake that bites?
00;40;46;13 - 00;41;13;07
Speaker 1
Yeah, that's a pretty good analogy. It's definitely more like a bee stinger in the sense that the jellyfish is no at fire off when they make contact. Kind of like a reflex. The jellyfish doesn't really control each individual thing the way a snake might control a bay. It's more of an automatic response. So. And that way, it's definitely more like the quick, reflexive nature of a bee sting.
00;41;13;09 - 00;41;28;22
Speaker 2
Can a jellyfish control its tentacles mechanically, or does it only control the bell and the tentacles just float behind?
00;41;28;24 - 00;41;59;25
Speaker 1
Jellyfish do have some control over their tentacles, but it's more limited compared to how they control their bell. They use the bell to pulse and move through the wire, and the tentacles do follow along behind them. However, they can retract their tentacles or extend them to some extent, especially when they're trying to capture prey or avoid threat. So they do have a bit of mechanical control, but it's not as precise as the way they move their bell.
00;41;59;27 - 00;42;10;18
Speaker 2
Okay, can you tell me about the venom specifically and maybe rank it against other animals?
00;42;10;20 - 00;42;38;08
Speaker 1
Sure. The venom of the box jellyfish is considered one of the most potent in the animal kingdom. It works extremely quickly, and the toxins can cause heart failure, extreme pain, and even death in severe cases. If we were to rank it against other venoms, it would be right up there with some of the most dangerous, like the venom of certain species of snakes, like the inland taipan, or the venom of some cone snails and certain spiders.
00;42;38;10 - 00;42;46;17
Speaker 1
It's definitely among the most potent venoms out there.
00;42;46;19 - 00;42;59;10
Speaker 2
Okay, if someone gets stung, let's say on the arm by a box jellyfish, what are their immediate symptoms?
00;42;59;12 - 00;43;27;21
Speaker 1
Well, the immediate symptoms from a box jellyfish sting can be pretty intense. The person would likely feel a severe burning pain almost instantly at the sting. Say, the skin might show red with bite marks where the tentacles made contact, and there could be swelling as well. Besides the intense pain, the venom can sometimes cause other symptoms like nausea, difficulty breathing, and in very severe cases, it can lead to more serious complications.
00;43;27;21 - 00;43;34;14
Speaker 1
And like heart issues, it's definitely something that requires immediate medical attention.
00;43;34;16 - 00;43;53;03
Speaker 2
So if someone or something is killed by a box jellyfish, how do they, like, what is the thing that kills them? Is it like asphyxiation or is it their heart stops or what?
00;43;53;05 - 00;44;18;09
Speaker 1
In severe cases, the venom from a jellyfish can cause something called cardiac arrest, which means the heart can stop beating. The venom can also interfere with the way the muscles and nerves work, which can make it hard to breathe. So sometimes people can experience failure. Essentially, the venom works really quickly and can overwhelm the body, which is why it's so important to get medical help right away.
00;44;18;09 - 00;44;21;14
Speaker 1
If someone is some.
00;44;21;16 - 00;44;43;27
Speaker 2
Okay. How many people? I guess as, as a percentage, how many people that are stung by box jellyfish pass away?
00;44;44;00 - 00;45;09;10
Speaker 1
According to available data, fatalities from box jellyfish. Things are relatively rare compared to the number of people who get stung. Most things can be treated successfully if medical help is given quickly. It's estimated that only a small percentage of those who are stung end up with fatal outcomes, especially if they receive prompt medical attention.
00;45;09;12 - 00;45;21;01
Speaker 2
And what is the medical attention that you would receive? Proper medical attention for a box jellyfish.
00;45;21;03 - 00;45;46;24
Speaker 1
Proper medical attention for a box jellyfish sting typically starts with rinsing the affected area with vinegar, which helps neutralize the stinging cells and prevent more venom from being released. After that, it's important to seek emergency medical care as soon as possible. Doctors might administer pain relief anti-venom if it's available, and they'll monitor for any serious symptoms like difficulty breathing or heart issues.
00;45;46;26 - 00;45;52;11
Speaker 1
Quick and appropriate treatment can make a huge difference in recovery.
00;45;52;13 - 00;46;08;17
Speaker 2
Okay, so getting stung by like a serious jellyfish is kind of like getting bit by a snake where it has like you have like anti-venom and you got to get there in a decent amount of time.
00;46;08;19 - 00;46;34;08
Speaker 1
Yeah, that's a pretty good comparison. Just like with a venomous snake, bite time is really crucial, and getting the right treatment quickly can make all the difference. Anti-venom can neutralize the toxins and help prevent more serious symptoms. So is definitely a similar kind of urgency and approach to treatment.
00;46;34;11 - 00;47;00;03
Speaker 2
Okay. Can you think, of a jellyfish for each continental area, like all the continents? Seven I guess, and give me a brief description of a jellyfish that you find fascinating from that region.
00;47;00;06 - 00;47;23;19
Speaker 1
Sure. That sounds like a fun challenge. For North America, one fascinating jellyfish is the Pacific nettle, which we talked about earlier. It's known for its beautiful golden bell and long, flowing tentacles. In South America, we have the Pink Mini, which is a large and rare jellyfish found in the Caribbean. It's known for eating other jellyfish, which makes it quite unique in Europe.
00;47;23;19 - 00;47;46;19
Speaker 1
The compass jellyfish is a cool one. It has a distinctive pattern on its bow that looks like a compass and it's commonly found in the waters around the UK. For Africa, the purple striped jellyfish is quite striking. It has vivid purple stripes and is found in the waters around the coast of South Africa. In Asia, the Japanese sea nettle is a fascinating one.
00;47;46;21 - 00;48;17;26
Speaker 1
It's known for its elegant, long tentacles and can be found in the waters around Japan and the East China Sea. For Australia, of course, we have the box jellyfish, which we've talked about. It's known for its dangerous thing in its almost transparent body. And for Antarctica, there are actually jellyfish in the Southern Ocean as well, like, the lion's mane jellyfish, which can handle those frigid waters with its impressive size and resilience.
00;48;17;28 - 00;48;37;14
Speaker 2
Okay. I want you to give me a new one for Australia, because we already talked about the box jellyfish, and I'd like you to give me a, like an encyclopedia style but more interesting report on it.
00;48;37;16 - 00;49;07;24
Speaker 1
Sure. Let's go with the Australian spotted jellyfish, also known as the white spotted jellyfish. This jellyfish is quite a sight with the translucent bell covered in little white spots, giving it a joke about it. Appearance. Is typically found in the coastal waters of Australia, and sometimes even ventures into lagoons and harbors. The Australian spotted jellyfish is a filter feeder, meaning it feeds on tiny plankton by pumping water through its belly and trapping food particles.
00;49;07;26 - 00;49;21;08
Speaker 1
Although it's not dangerous to humans, it's an important part of the marine ecosystem, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of Australia's water.
00;49;21;10 - 00;49;30;06
Speaker 2
The jellyfish usually hang out in deep or shallow water, or to mix.
00;49;30;09 - 00;50;02;08
Speaker 1
Jellyfish can actually be found in both shallow and deep waters, depending on the species. Some jellyfish, like the box jellyfish, prefer coastal shallow waters where they can find plenty of food. Others, like the lion's mane jellyfish, can be found in deeper, colder waters. Some species even move between depths following their prey or avoiding predators. Though you'll find jellyfish in a wide range of ocean environments.
00;50;02;10 - 00;50;17;10
Speaker 2
So you mentioned they move between depths to avoid predators. Do they generally have a larger range than your average sea creature?
00;50;17;12 - 00;50;42;05
Speaker 1
Jellyfish do have a pretty impressive range when it comes to bird movement in the ocean. They often migrate vertically each day in a pattern called dipole vertical migration. This means they come up to lower waters at night to feed, and then go back down to deeper waters during the day. This helps them avoid predators and also follow their food sources like plankton, which do the same kind of migration.
00;50;42;08 - 00;50;51;06
Speaker 1
So in a way, they do have a pretty wide range compared to some other sea creatures that might stay at one depth.
00;50;51;08 - 00;50;58;22
Speaker 2
Okay, give us a new one for Antarctica.
00;50;58;25 - 00;51;26;09
Speaker 1
Or Antarctica. Fascinating. Jellyfish is the former Antarctica. This jellyfish is known for thriving in the cold Southern Ocean waters. It has a translucent bow and delicate tentacles, and it plays a role in the unique Antarctic ecosystem. Despite the extreme conditions, it has adapted well to the icy waters and is an important part of the food web in that region.
00;51;26;11 - 00;51;31;03
Speaker 2
Okay, that's not the lion's mane, is it?
00;51;31;05 - 00;51;44;16
Speaker 1
You're right. It's a different species from the lion's mane. The discovery of Antarctica is a unique jellyfish that specifically adapted to the Antarctic waters. It's smaller and less well known than,
00;51;44;19 - 00;51;54;25
Speaker 2
Hang on. Well, I guess finish what you're going to say. If it's something new and interesting.
00;51;54;27 - 00;52;16;28
Speaker 1
Absolutely. The plumbers Antarctica is a great example of how, even in the extreme cold of the Southern Ocean, jellyfish can thrive and play a key role in the ecosystem. They provide food for other Antarctic creatures and show just how adaptable and resilient marine life can be, even in some of the harshest environments on Earth.
00;52;17;00 - 00;52;24;22
Speaker 2
Do they have any other, like, cool qualities besides providing food?
00;52;24;25 - 00;52;55;05
Speaker 1
One cool thing about jellyfish, like the Plumbers Antarctica, is that they contribute to the nutrient cycles in their ecosystems. When they feed on plankton, they help regulate plankton populations, and when jellyfish themselves die, they become an important source of nutrients for other marine life. Plus their ability to thrive in such cold waters is a testament to their incredible adaptability, making them a really cool part of the Antarctic marine world.
00;52;55;07 - 00;53;06;23
Speaker 2
If they get caught in, an ice that freezes to it, kills them right?
00;53;06;25 - 00;53;31;05
Speaker 1
Yeah. Typically, if jellyfish get trapped in ice and freeze, it would be fatal for them. They're mostly made of water and don't have any mechanism to survive being frozen, so getting caught in ice would definitely be harmful. They usually stay in water is that even though they're cold, don't actually freeze solid so they can continue to thrive in those chilly environments.
00;53;31;07 - 00;53;42;26
Speaker 2
Okay. I would like you to give us a new one from North America, because you already did the Pacific scene. It'll.
00;53;42;28 - 00;54;12;08
Speaker 1
Of course. For North America, another fascinating jellyfish is the Atlantic sea nettle. It's commonly found along the East coast of the United States. The Atlantic sea now has a beautiful translucent bell that can range from a milky white to a more amber color. And it has long, flowing tentacles. It's known for its mild sting, and it feeds on zooplankton, small fish, and other tiny marine creatures, making it an important part of the coastal ecosystem.
00;54;12;15 - 00;54;26;15
Speaker 2
Okay, I want you to give me one that's not called a sea nettle. Maybe something that is unique to the other species nearby.
00;54;26;17 - 00;54;35;00
Speaker 1
Got it. Another fascinating jellyfish found in North American waters is the moon jellyfish. It's easily recognizable by its chat.
00;54;35;03 - 00;54;49;14
Speaker 2
We already talked about the moon jellyfish. I don't want that one. I want I want to hear one from North America that we have not yet talked about on this thread.
00;54;49;16 - 00;55;21;28
Speaker 1
No worries. Another interesting jellyfish from North America is the crystal jelly. It's found along the Pacific coast, and it's known for its nearly transparent body and the fact that it can produce a beautiful bioluminescent glow. Scientists have studied the crystal deli's glowing proteins, and it actually led to some important discoveries in biotechnology. So it's definitely a unique and fascinating species.
00;55;22;01 - 00;55;55;09
Speaker 2
Okay. I think we'll probably have to cover bioluminescence on it's own thing, but I have a question. So when I was in Thailand, I think I was on the west coast of Thailand, kind of near Krabi, and we were seeing bioluminescent stuff in the water. It was probably really small. It wasn't jellyfish. What? Well, what would that have been?
00;55;55;12 - 00;56;16;13
Speaker 1
That sounds like you were saying bioluminescent plankton. Also known as dinoflagellates. These tiny organisms can create an amazing glowing effect in the water when they're disturbed. Like by wave or when you move your hand through the water. It's a really magical experience, and definitely one of the highlights of visiting coastal areas like Krabi and Thailand.
00;56;16;16 - 00;56;31;29
Speaker 2
Okay, so tell me about the, biological bioluminescent capabilities of the crystal jelly and where it hangs out in North America.
00;56;32;01 - 00;57;02;29
Speaker 1
The crystal jelly is well known for its bioluminescence, which comes from special proteins that emit a greenish blue glow. These proteins have actually been really important in scientific research, especially in the field of molecular biology. The crystal jelly is typically found along the west coast of North America, from California up to British Columbia. It usually hangs out in the cooler coastal waters, and its bioluminescence is truly a sight to see in its natural habitat.
00;57;03;01 - 00;57;17;09
Speaker 2
The. I grew up, kind of at the south of the area, in like the Bay area near San Francisco and Santa Cruz and I have never heard anything about this.
00;57;17;11 - 00;57;41;25
Speaker 1
It's definitely one of those hidden gems of the marine world. The crystal jelly can be pretty elusive, especially since it's mostly active at night and in deeper waters. But it's amazing how much incredible marine life is right there along the California coast. It's definitely a reminder that there's always more to discover, even in our own backyard.
00;57;41;27 - 00;57;47;24
Speaker 2
Tell me about the pink ninny from South America.
00;57;47;26 - 00;58;10;11
Speaker 1
The Pink Meanie is a really fascinating jellyfish. It was first discovered in the Gulf of Mexico, and it's known for its distinctive pink coloration and large size. One of the most interesting things about the Pink Meanie is that it actually feeds on other jellyfish, which is pretty unique. It uses its long, sticky tentacles to capture and conceal other jellyfish species.
00;58;10;11 - 00;58;21;09
Speaker 1
It's definitely a stand out in the jellyfish world, and a really cool example of the diversity of marine life in South America.
00;58;21;12 - 00;58;28;02
Speaker 2
Is it called the Pink Meanie or Nini? How do you spell that?
00;58;28;04 - 00;58;37;19
Speaker 1
It's spelled meanie like the word for someone who's not being nice. So is Pink Meanie, which is a pretty playful name for such a fascinating jellyfish.
00;58;37;22 - 00;58;43;15
Speaker 2
Me and my.
00;58;43;17 - 00;58;54;13
Speaker 1
Yeah, that's exactly right. It's spelled miei and I e. It's definitely a fun and memorable name for a jellyfish that stand out in the ocean.
00;58;54;15 - 00;59;02;17
Speaker 2
So how does this jellyfish seek out other jellyfish? T?
00;59;02;19 - 00;59;23;03
Speaker 1
The Pink Meanie uses its long, sticky tentacles to capture other jellyfish. When it encounters another jellyfish, it ensnares it with these tentacles and then gradually brings it up to its mouth to consume. It can actually digest multiple jellyfish at once, making it a pretty efficient and unique predator in the jellyfish world.
00;59;23;06 - 00;59;36;27
Speaker 2
Yeah, but how can you tell if it if it's selectively eats other jellyfish? How can it tell when it has a jellyfish in its tentacles versus like something else?
00;59;36;29 - 01;00;02;25
Speaker 1
Jellyfish, including the Pink Meanie, don't really have a way to see or think about what they're catching, in the same way that more complex animals do, they rely mostly on their tentacles ability to sense.
01;00;02;27 - 01;00;10;27
Speaker 2
Check. Are you still there? Do you remember where we were?
01;00;11;00 - 01;00;27;19
Speaker 1
Yeah, I'm still here. We were talking about the Pink Meanie jellyfish and how it captures and eat other jellyfish. You'd asked about how it decides what to eat, and I was explaining that it doesn't really describe like an animal with a brain. It just relies on its sticky kind of.
01;00;27;22 - 01;00;41;01
Speaker 2
Okay. We're going to do one more jellyfish. We're going to do the, the compass jellyfish in the UK, and then we're going to get out of here.
01;00;41;03 - 01;01;03;28
Speaker 1
All right. Got it. The compass jellyfish is such a cool one to finish with. It's found in the waters around the UK and it's easy to spot because of the brown V-shaped markings on its belt that look like a compass rose. Its tentacles can deliver a mild thing, but it's not dangerous to humans. So what did you want to do after the compass jellyfish?
01;01;04;01 - 01;01;15;06
Speaker 2
Tell me an interesting thing about the compass jellyfish that we wouldn't know.
01;01;15;09 - 01;01;37;24
Speaker 1
Here's something neat about the compass jellyfish. You might not know. When they're young, they actually spend part of their life attached to the seafloor as tiny polyps before they butt off and become the free swimming jellyfish. We recognize. So one polyp can produce multiple baby jellyfish. It's like a little jellyfish factory down there.
01;01;37;27 - 01;01;50;22
Speaker 2
Okay, before we sign off today, is there anything that you've been itching to share about jellyfish that you haven't yet?
01;01;50;24 - 01;02;00;22
Speaker 1
One last cool bit from jellyfish. Like certain deep sea species can actually clone themselves if they're injured. It's wild to think that a piece of jellyfish.
01;02;00;22 - 01;02;10;10
Speaker 1
And break off and grow into a whole new jellyfish. Just goes to show how strangely resilient and resourceful these creatures are.
01;02;10;12 - 01;02;20;24
Speaker 2
Okay, you're going to have to go into a little bit more detail. Can you give me like 500 words on that?
01;02;20;27 - 01;02;42;21
Speaker 1
All right, let's get into it. So the idea that jellyfish can clone themselves comes down to just how weird and flexible their life cycle really is. Many people know about the immortal jellyfish turn top to dawn eye, which can revert from its adult stage back into a polyp, basically restarting its life. But cloning and jellyfish goes beyond just that one species.
01;02;42;24 - 01;03;07;04
Speaker 1
A few other jellyfish have regeneration tricks that let them make copies of themselves to in the early stages of life. Jellyfish exist as tiny polyps attached to rocks or other surfaces on the ocean floor. These polyps are kind of like the base camp for new jellyfish through a process called chelation. A single polyp can produce multiple baby jellyfish called every, that eventually grow into adult.
01;03;07;07 - 01;03;30;06
Speaker 1
This part isn't exactly cloning the way we think of, say, cloning a sheep, but it's still a form of asexual reproduction. One creature makes many genetically identical copies of itself. Now, what's really wild is that some jellyfish can pull off a similar feat even after becoming adult. When certain jellyfish get injured or break apart, maybe a predator bites off a chunk of their bell or rough current.
01;03;30;06 - 01;03;55;02
Speaker 1
Tear them. That leftover piece can sometimes regenerate into a whole new jellyfish. It's almost like the pieces remember what they're supposed to be and rebuild themselves. Scientists have seen this happen in species like the moon jellyfish. Aurelia Arrieta. In the case of moon jellyfish. If you cut them into pieces in a lab, each piece can reorganize itself and grow into a smaller, fully formed jellyfish.
01;03;55;09 - 01;04;22;07
Speaker 1
This happens because jellyfish have what's called a diffuse nerve net instead of a central brain. In cells are surprisingly flexible and can shift into different roles as needed. It's kind of like having a bunch of backup players that can jump into any position when the team needs it. This regenerative superpower helped jellyfish survive in the wild, too. Imagine drifting through the ocean, dealing with predators and harsh currents, losing a chunk of your body.
01;04;22;14 - 01;04;54;08
Speaker 1
Could be a death sentence for most creatures. But for some jellyfish, it's more like no worries, I'll just grow another moon. This means their populations can bounce back really quickly, which is one reason jellyfish blooms sometimes get huge. This ability also makes jellyfish really interesting for scientists studying regenerative medicine and tissue repair. Researchers hope that by understanding how jellyfish cells reorganize and clone themselves, we might find clues for helping humans heal, wound or even regrow tissues someday.
01;04;54;10 - 01;05;19;04
Speaker 1
It's a reminder that even these brainless, ancient creatures still have a few secrets that could inspire new discoveries for us. So when you see a jellyfish gently drifting along the shore, you're not just looking at one of the oldest animals on Earth. You're also looking at a matter of regeneration, a creature that can bounce back from damage in ways that put our own healing abilities to shame.
01;05;19;07 - 01;05;25;22
Speaker 1
It's just another reason why jellyfish are so endlessly fascinating.
01;05;25;25 - 01;05;39;13
Speaker 2
Okay, thanks. I really enjoyed this today. It's really cool to be able to learn in this, in this manner.
01;05;39;16 - 01;05;51;04
Speaker 1
I'm really glad you enjoyed it. It's been awesome drifting through all these jellyfish back with you. You've got such great questions. Makes it fun to explore together.
01;05;51;06 - 01;05;52;29
Speaker 2
Piece.