Turritopsis dohrnii

Overview

AMNH describes a tiny transparent medusa with a red stomach and marginal white tentacles. Its planula settles into a polyp colony that buds medusae. Damage or starvation can lead a medusa back toward the polyp phase. The illustrated adult should not be mistaken for the polyp colony or given one invariant tentacle count.

Pascual-Torner and colleagues compared genome assemblies of T. dohrnii and T. rubra and examined expression during reversal. They identified differences associated with DNA repair, cell communication and reprogramming, proposing candidate mechanisms. Comparative associations do not establish that one gene guarantees indefinite survival or provides a treatment for human ageing.

Miglietta subsequently disputed the comparator premise and called for stronger species identification and biological interpretation. This critique cautions against describing T. rubra as universally unable to reverse after reproduction, or turning a laboratory comparison into proof of invulnerability.

Origins & earliest records

Living hydrozoan; named life-cycle stages are not an evolutionary origin date.

Evidence & interpretation

Selected scientific and institutional evidence.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   The Immortal Jellyfish

   AMNH

2. 02

   Comparative genomics of mortal and immortal cnidarians unveils novel keys behind rejuvenation

   Maria Pascual-Torner et al.

3. 03

   On the perils of working on nonmodel organisms

   Maria Pia Miglietta

Family & connections

A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Museum life-cycle and morphology accountThe Immortal JellyfishResearch access: 2026-10-12
2. Primary genomic study; indexed witnessComparative genomics of mortal and immortal cnidarians unveils novel keys behind rejuvenationResearch access: 2026-10-12
3. Primary scholarly critique; indexed witnessOn the perils of working on nonmodel organismsResearch access: 2026-10-12

Image credits

AI interpretation of transparent red-stomached medusa.

AI interpretation of medusa form; tentacle count and fine anatomy are approximate.