Genetics Suggests Sea Stars Have Multiple Heads: Unveiling the Mystery
For centuries, scientists have been puzzled by the whereabouts of a starfish’s head. However, recent research mapping starfish genes has shed light on this age-old mystery, revealing an unexpected finding. It turns out that starfish genes indicate the presence of multiple heads, not just one central head as previously believed. The revelation has captivated the scientific community, likening the process to a game of pin the tail on the donkey, where scientists have finally located the heads on starfish.
In an intriguing study published in Nature, researchers discovered that starfish, also known as sea stars, possess head-like regions in each of their limbs. This revelation has a rich historical background, with Laurent Formery, the lead author of the study, stating, “This mystery dates back to the very beginning of zoology.”
Formery, a postdoc at Stanford School of Humanities and Sciences, explains that identifying the starfish head proved challenging due to their distinctive nature. He compares this puzzle to the fact that, despite their appearances, starfish share genetic similarities with humans. He highlights that humans, along with other animals like insects, reptiles, birds, and mammals, possess bilateral symmetry, which allows scientists to identify the location of body parts more easily. However, sea stars lack bilateral symmetry and instead possess a five-fold radial symmetry, making it difficult to locate a specific head region.
Formery and his team mapped the genetic code of starfish to gain a better understanding of this enigma. By examining the genes within individual starfish limbs, they aimed to identify genes resembling a head and genes resembling a trunk. However, their findings surprised them—the majority of genes resembled those typically associated with a head, rather than a trunk. Jeff Thompson, co-author and lecturer at the University of Southampton, explains that starfish essentially possess a body plan equivalent to the head in other animal groups. This discovery challenged previously held notions and piqued curiosity within the scientific community.
Intriguingly, Formery is interested in exploring whether the starfish’s multiple heads may also contain multiple brains. He questions the common perception that sea stars have a simple nervous system, stating that there is evidence of genes involved in brain development in humans also being present in starfish. This revelation raises intriguing questions regarding the nature of the starfish’s nervous system and whether it can be considered a brain.
With advancing technology and a deeper understanding of starfish genetics, scientists are unraveling the mysteries hidden within these complex creatures. The discovery of multiple heads in starfish opens up a world of possibilities for future research, inviting scientists to explore the enigmatic world of these fascinating marine beings.
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