Researchers have discovered that the brainless Caribbean box jellyfish, Tripedalia cystophora, belonging to the Cnidaria phylum, can learn to avoid obstacles using both visual and mechanical cues. These jellyfish, measuring just a centimeter in length, have a primitive nervous system but exhibit an extraordinary cognitive ability known as “associative learning.” They can navigate murky waters and complex environments, such as submerged mangrove roots, by responding to visual cues and adapting their behavior to avoid harm. This unique capacity is comparable to more advanced animals like fruit flies and mice. The jellyfish possess four visual sensory centers, called rhopalia, each containing lens-shaped eyes and approximately a thousand neurons that contribute to their ability to anticipate and avoid potential threats through operant conditioning.
Facts/Terms for UPSC Prelims
- Cnidaria phylum: A group of animals that includes jellyfish, sea anemones, and coral. They are characterized by specialized cells called cnidocytes, which contain stinging structures known as nematocysts used for defense and prey capture.
- Associative learning: A type of learning where an organism links two or more stimuli and forms a new response based on their association. In this case, the jellyfish associate visual cues with obstacles to avoid them.
- Rhopalia: The four sensory centers in Caribbean box jellyfish, each equipped with lens-shaped eyes and neurons. They play a crucial role in detecting and responding to environmental stimuli.
- Operant conditioning: A form of learning where an organism modifies its behavior in response to consequences. In this context, the jellyfish can modify their behavior to predict and avoid potential threats.
