Mmastodon ScienceBiology first seen 1 d ago, last 1 d ago, peak #6

Siphonophore: the deep-sea creature that is a colony, not one animal

Original: Meet the siphonophore — not one animal, but a living colony. 🌊 Nanomia bijuga is built from genetically identical clones

Scientists and ocean enthusiasts are sharing footage of Nanomia bijuga, a siphonophore filmed by a deep-sea ROV 612 metres down in Monterey Bay. The animal is not a single organism but a colony of genetically identical clones called zooids, each specialised for a job: some swim, some sting, some digest food. The remarkable biology of this translucent drifting colony is fascinating viewers.

Why now: Striking deep-sea footage reveals an organism whose biology challenges the usual idea of what a single animal is.

Nanomia bijugaMonterey Baysiphonophores

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Evidence

• Meet the siphonophore — not one animal, but a living colony. 🌊 Nanomia bijuga is built from genetically identical clones called zooids, each one specialized: some swim, some sting, some digest food. This one was filmed by a deep-sea ROV 612 m down in Monterey Bay. 🎥 CC BY 2.5,… · eatrics · 1

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