Ocean Wonders of 2021
The ocean is an unending source of wonder. Dr Anjani Ganase discusses a few of the discoveries made in 2021 including the realization that protection should be secured by cooperation among all nations working together. Let’s support ocean exploration and discoveries in our ocean backyard. Photo of Tobago’s reefs courtesy The Maritime Ocean Collection. REGENERATION FROM A DECAPITATED HEAD Scientists have discovered two species of sea slugs that can regenerate the whole body including major organs such as the heart and intestines, from a decapitated head. The wound at the site of decapitation healed within the day and the severed head continues to be mobile for feeding. The slug regrew a heart within seven days with full regeneration in less than 20 days. However, survival after decapitation only happened in the young slugs; while slugs older than a year (or if they had parasites) eventually died. Scientists have theorized that because these slugs in...