In the late 1990s, a ribbon worm was collected from the waters near the San Juan Islands in the Pacific Northwest. Now named Baseodiscus the Eldest—or simply B—this remarkable creature has been around for at least 26 years, possibly even 30. While many of his tank mates, like the vermilion bat stars, have passed away, B thrives, buried in the mud of his aquarium.
Recently, scientists confirmed B as the oldest ribbon worm ever recorded, far surpassing the previously known lifespan of three years for this species. This discovery highlights the longevity that many invertebrates can achieve. Marine biologist Chloe Goodsell from UC Irvine explains that while humans often admire animals with bones and relatable features, many of the longest-living creatures are actually invertebrates. For instance, giant clams can live up to 100 years, and tube worms may reach 250 years. There’s even a bootlace worm found in Scotland rumored to be 180 feet long, underlining the impressive nature of these animals.
B’s age is noteworthy, but researchers believe he might not be unique. “He’s probably a typical example,” Goodsell states, suggesting that there may be older ribbon worms yet to be discovered.
B’s long life can be attributed to the care he receives from Jonathan Allen, a marine invertebrate biologist at William & Mary. Allen first encountered B as a graduate student and has devoted his time to keeping the worm and its tank mates healthy. The bond they’ve formed over the years is strong. “I’ve got to keep him as long as I can,” Allen says, reflecting on their relationship.
Interestingly, ribbon worms generally have low metabolic rates, as they thrive in cooler water temperatures. This means that B’s growth and activity level remain steady. Allen has observed B eating the few peanut worms left in the tank, speculating they may be part of B’s diet over the years.
A surprising aspect of B’s story is that nobody anticipated he would live this long. Upon learning of B’s age, Goodsell connected with Svetlana Maslakova from the University of Oregon to analyze a tissue sample. Surprisingly, B was confirmed to belong to the species Baseodiscus punnetti, forever marking him in the annals of biological discovery.
B looks quite young for his age. His body remains taut and active, often surprising those who see him. Allen describes him as “very spry.” There’s even a chance B could be older than the estimated 30 years since ribbon worm lifespan is still not fully understood.
The relationship between Allen and B is both humorous and heartwarming. As Goodsell jokingly puts it, “Jon was crazy enough to pal around with a worm for decades.” Allen has plans to ensure B is cared for even after he is gone, thinking ahead to who might take over when the time comes.
B’s presence is a reminder of the mysteries of life in the ocean and how much we still have to learn about invertebrates. For now, both B and Allen continue their journey together, sharing a bond that is remarkable in both its longevity and simplicity.
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