Meet the microscopic marine worm that functions like a solar-powered animal
Smaller than a single grain of rice, the acoel flatworm possesses two extraordinary biological superpowers. These tiny organisms inhabit coral reefs and maintain a complex internal partnership with algae, allowing them to harvest energy from the sun while simultaneously hunting for prey in the ocean.
Acoels are a group of simple, soft-bodied marine flatworms that inhabit coral reef environments. While they appear to be simple worms, they possess a biological complexity that has fascinated researchers like Dania Nanes Sarfati from Stanford University. These organisms are often described as "plant-animals" due to a highly intimate symbiotic relationship they maintain with photosynthetic algae. This green algae lives directly between the cells of the acoel, creating a unique internal ecosystem.
The mechanism behind this partnership is a mutual exchange of nutrients and energy. To facilitate this, acoels exhibit a specific behavior: they will flatten their bodies out in sunny patches of the water. This allows the internal algae to absorb as much sunlight as possible, a process the researchers liken to the worms being on a daily vacation. However, they are not purely dependent on light; they are also active predators. Using a mouth to consume planktonic plants and animals, they can expand their heads like a net to engulf prey before jamming the meal into their mouths.
Beyond their solar-powered capabilities, acoels possess a remarkable regenerative capacity. They are capable of regenerating any part of their body, a feat of biological resilience that makes them a subject of significant scientific study. Despite their lack of a permanent structure, their ability to rebuild themselves and leverage both hunting and photosynthesis makes them one of the most versatile tiny inhabitants of the marine world.
Source: These Solar-Powered Carnivorous Flatworms Divide and Conquer | Deep Look
