{"id":3740,"date":"2023-09-29T07:54:15","date_gmt":"2023-09-29T07:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/thepoetryofscience.peachpuff-wolverine-566518.hostingersite.com\/?p=3740"},"modified":"2023-09-29T07:54:15","modified_gmt":"2023-09-29T07:54:15","slug":"mnemic-medusae","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/scienceblog.com\/thepoetryofscience\/3740\/mnemic-medusae\/","title":{"rendered":"Mnemic Medusae"},"content":{"rendered":"

Beneath twisting mangrove roots,
\ntranslucent phantoms glide \u2013
\nhypnotic, steady beats
\nto navigate
\nthese woody webs.
\nWith pulsing bells
\nthey gently weave,
\neach sting and strand
\na tool to dowse,
\nand twist,
\nand bend.
\nGhostly,
\nthey float
\nthrough tangled paths,
\ntrailing limbs
\nlike thoughts:
\nseeking,
\ntesting,
\npacing.
\nFlickers through
\nthe shadows,
\nsilent creatures
\nseeking secret patterns
\nin their thoughts
\ndrawn by sight,
\nand sound,
\nand sense
\nto float,
\nand flow,
\nand dance.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>
A Caribbean box jellyfish. Black dots embedded low on the bell are the animal\u2019s visual sensory and learning centre called rhopalia (Image Credit: Jan Bielecki).<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

This poem is inspired by recent research<\/a>, which has found that jellyfish can learn from past experiences.<\/p>\n

Box jellyfish are captivating marine creatures that inhabit various oceanic regions around the globe. These gelatinous animals, with their delicate, translucent bodies, are often noted for their potent venom. However, there’s more to them than just their sting. The Tripedalia cystophora<\/em>, a specific type of box jellyfish, has a remarkable ability: it can skilfully manoeuvre through the intricate maze of mangrove roots, avoiding any obstacles that come its way. This skill isn’t just random luck; it’s a unique protective behaviour that this jellyfish has developed. While navigating the challenging environment of mangroves, this ability is crucial for the jellyfish to find food and protect itself from potential threats.<\/p>\n

Researchers have now conducted a study to understand if these jellyfish can learn from their experiences, similar to how we learn from ours. Through a series of tests, they discovered that the jellyfish do indeed have the capability to learn using a process called ‘operant conditioning’. This is surprising because, unlike us, these jellyfish do not have a conventional brain. The findings challenge our understanding of learning, suggesting that even simple creatures without complex brains can learn from their environment. This raises interesting questions about the nature of learning in the animal kingdom.<\/p>\n