Meet The Self Decapitating, Body Regenerating Slugs

[goliathusdavid]

Really have no words for this one. Enjoy, especially the video.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/08/...ck&module=Science Technology&pgtype=Homepage

 

[Matts inverts]

That’s crazy. It’s weird how the bodies reacted even without a head even if they were dead

 

[Scorpiobsession]

I don't know why but it reminds me of the headless chicken that survived for years and then died after eating a corn kernel that was too big and suffocated.

This is very interesting. My guess is that they only use very little energy for their size which allows both parts to function.

 

[goliathusdavid]

I don't know why but it reminds me of the headless chicken that survived for years and then died after eating a corn kernel that was too big and suffocated.

This is very interesting. My guess is that they only use very little energy for their size which allows both parts to function.

I recall in that case, the cerebral cord had not been completely severed, allowing a still functioning nervous system. What is so wild for me is that they leave almost all their internal organs and structures behind and growing everything back from really just the nervous system. Definitely want to know more about this, and also just generally neurology of non-chordates (which is SO WEIRD).

 

[Matts inverts]

Most species that lose their head die or just flop around for a couple hours. This one literally regrows its whole body. It said the body reacted after being disconnected, I thought the brain was needed so animals could feel things.

 

[Scorpiobsession]

Most species that lose their head die or just flop around for a couple hours. This one literally regrows its whole body. It said the body reacted after being disconnected, I thought the brain was needed so animals could feel things.

I think in this case it's an automatic reflex rather than a reaction; or it's instinctual, either way I don't think they're actually processing thoughts and responding accordingly.

 

[schmiggle]

Very cool! I would imagine the trick is made possible in part by the symbiotic algae, which give more of an energy buffer to grow new viscera and whatnot. Planaria can, of course, do something similar, but they're also smaller, simpler organisms (generally) with lower metabolic requirements.

 

[Arthroverts]

Fascinating!

Thanks for sharing,

Arthroverts

 

[Scp682]

Well that's one way to get rid of chestbursters.

 

[Iamconstantlyhappy]

Very cool! I would imagine the trick is made possible in part by the symbiotic algae, which give more of an energy buffer to grow new viscera and whatnot. Planaria can, of course, do something similar, but they're also smaller, simpler organisms (generally) with lower metabolic requirements.

Hence the moniker “solar slugs”. Amazing