Biologist Jon Allen has some remarkable news: his pet ribbon worm, affectionately named Baseodiscus the Eldest, is the oldest of its kind known to science. B is at least 26 years old and may even be around 30! When fully extended, this unique worm reaches about three feet long.
Marine invertebrates are known for their longevity. For example, deep-sea tube worms can live for over 300 years, with some suggesting they may even reach a thousand years. Ribbon worms, however, haven’t been studied as closely, so little is known about their lifespans. B stands out as the oldest recorded member of the phylum Nemertea. The only other ribbon worm in literature was just three years old.
As Allen notes, “This finding fills a genuine knowledge gap.” It enhances our understanding of these diverse marine predators. Since 2005, Allen has cared for B in a tank filled with mud, allowing it to roam freely. He first brought B from the University of North Carolina after renovations disturbed its home. While B’s exact birth date is unclear, researchers collected it from the San Juan Islands in the late ’90s.
B’s travels have taken it from Washington state to Virginia, making it quite the well-traveled worm. In 2024, after some coaxing from a former student, Allen had B genetically tested. This confirmed that it belongs to the species Baseodiscus punnetti, now only the second of its kind to be genetically barcoded.
Interesting historical facts about ribbon worms provide even more context. A ribbon worm discovered on a Scottish beach in 1864 remains the longest animal ever recorded, stretching about twice the length of a blue whale. It’s fascinating to think about how long these creatures might live.
Studies suggest that marine worms could offer vital insights into longevity, and understanding their lifespans can help researchers assess their ecological roles. As Allen and his colleagues conclude, this research is a step toward better awareness of how long-lived benthic predators like ribbon worms affect marine ecosystems.
For further reading on the lifespan of ribbon worms, you can see the research published in the Journal of Experimental Zoology here.
Source link
MSFT Content
