Marine animals that can rebuild their heads after cutting them off

Weather of Arabia - Scientists have discovered that some headless sea slugs can regrow with their hearts and entire bodies.

According to a magazine specialized in biology, it mentioned this wonderful phenomenon as one of the wonders of nature and indicated that this discovery may contribute to a better understanding and treatment of human tissue regeneration in the future.

Biology researcher Sayaka Mito noted her love of studying Japanese marine slugs because of their smallness, cuteness, and strangeness. These organisms can photosynthesize for a short period, like plants that use sunlight to generate energy.

One day in the lab, I witnessed something strange when I saw a sea slug that cut off its head and the head continued to move and survive. Then the same phenomenon occurred with another couple, according to the study published in the journal Current Biology.

Based on these discoveries, the doctoral student, in collaboration with Yuichi Yusa, a professor of aquatic ecology at Nara Women's University, studied the evolution and decapitation of 16 marine slugs. Six of these creatures began regeneration, and three of them succeeded in surviving. In addition, one of these three lost his head and regained his body twice. Two different species of Japanese marine slugs were able to apply this regeneration strategy.

This shows how other organisms can also shed parts of their bodies when necessary, similar to lizards that drop their tails when in danger, a biological phenomenon known as "autotomy."

This case is very exceptional and is the most extreme in autotomy. Although some animals can spontaneously lose legs or other parts of their bodies, no other animal can shed its entire body as happened with this marine slug.

Scientists believe the creature, which is relatively large for a sea slug and can grow to up to 6 inches (about 15 cm) long, could not survive without a heart that pumps blood and nutrients to the brain, a Canadian marine biologist said. Susan Anthony.

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