Category: Invertebrates
Sponges are aquatic, multicellular organisms whose body structure is full of holes and channels that allow water to circulate food and oxygen to all the cells, as well as remove waste. While they lack true tissues and organs and do not display body symmetry, sponges are composed of a variety of cells which perform highly specialized functions and often host photosynthesizing micro-organisms as endosymbionts. Sponges in temperate regions usually only survive for a few years, while some tropical species may live for more than 200 years!
Cephalopods: Masterminds of the Ocean.
Octopi, cuttlefish, and squids - all cephalopods - have been observed engaging in amazing feats of intelligence (perhaps unsurprising, as cuttlefish and octopuses have the highest brain-to-body mass of all invertebrates). Their suction-cup covered arms are dexterous, and octopuses have been observed putting them to use throwing rocks, opening screw-top jars, even picking up and gathering coconut shells to build fortresses for themselves. Squids, for their part, have been observed hunting cooperatively and are able to communicate with one another via color changes, patterns, and flashing to one another - sometimes using different sides of their bodies to broadcast different signals to multiple squids! Just how smart are they? As they are typically elusive and so very different from humans, we aren’t sure yet - but we do know the question is not “Are they intelligent?” but “How intelligent are they?”
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