The bizarre way moon jellyfish clone themselves into stacks of pancakes
Before they become the translucent, bell-shaped creatures we recognize, moon jellyfish undergo a startling transformation. Through a process of rhythmic cloning, a single polyp can morph into a vertical pile of squirming, disc-like organisms, ready to break free and conquer the ocean.
The life cycle of the moon jellyfish begins with tiny, potato-shaped larvae known as planulae. After fertilization occurs when males release sperm into the water, these larvae seek out solid surfaces, such as rocks, to settle upon. Once attached, they develop into polyps, small organisms that resemble miniature sea anemones and use stinging tentacles to capture prey.
The true mastery of the moon jellyfish lies in its ability to multiply through two distinct cloning methods. First, polyps engage in budding, where new polyps grow directly from the sides of existing ones. However, when environmental conditions are optimal, they undergo a more dramatic phase called strobilation. During this stage, the polyp develops pronounced ridges along its sides, eventually taking on the appearance of a stack of pancakes, according to Michael McGill, a senior biologist at the Aquarium of the Bay.
Each individual segment in this 'stack' is known as an ephyra. These ephyrae are clones of the original polyp, and as they mature, they eventually detach from the stack to swim independently. As they grow, they transition into the familiar adult, bell-shaped form. While these creatures lack a centralized brain, they navigate their environment using a radially distributed nervous system, known as a nerve net or nerve ring.
This biological efficiency is supported by specialized stinging cells called nematocysts. These cells line the jellyfish's tentacles and act as microscopic harpoons; upon contact, they release venom to paralyze prey like plankton or small fish, and to defend against predators.
Source: Watch Jellyfish Go Through Their “Stack of Pancakes” Phase | Deep Look
