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A comment on Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other animals. Parent comment

Re:Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other ... by Phemist on Thursday May 25, 2023 @08:05AM (#36069688)
> All such groups of sessile filtering animals have greatly simplified bodies and very reduced nervous systems.

Yes, as the joke goes, as the larva of an anemone settles into its permanent feeding spot it will consume its own brain, much like the professor that has finally achieved tenure.

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Re:Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other ... by beedeebeedee on Thursday May 25, 2023 @10:29AM (#36071179)
I thought it was tunicates (sea squirts) because they are closely related to vertebrates and start off free swimming with a notochord. (I also heard the joke as being about Americans- they are curious and thoughtful while young, but then settle down, become couch potatoes in front of the tv and digest their own brains). Either way, it is a cute joke and interesting marine biology.
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Re:Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other ... by Phemist on Thursday May 25, 2023 @10:54AM (#36071478)
> tunicates (sea squirts)

Could actually be.., perhaps I am miss-remembering :)

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Re:Comb jellies proven to be the sibling group to all other ... by Tagbert on Thursday May 25, 2023 @04:29PM (#36075771)
Tunicate is more likely. the Anemone larva result tiny medusa and both larva and adults have nerve networks.

Tunicates and Echinoderms seem to have evolved from bilateral ancestors like the ancestors of chordates.

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