Monday, May 27, 2019

Plant Or Animal...?

Here is a case of nature's ability to confuse us all. This critter can change from plant to anima...and back again. How is that for strange?

Mesodinium Chamaeleon



Photo credit: Ojvind Moestrup/Journal of Eukaryotic Microbiology

Microscopic in size, Mesodinium chamaeleon has scientists stymied. It’s not a plant, but it’s not an animal, either. As an animal, it uses its hair-like cilia to swim about, devouring plants. After feeding, it turns into a plant itself and is able to photosynthesize. After a while, it consumes the chlorophyll granules it obtained by eating the plant and reverts into an animal to begin the process of transformations anew. The bizarre creature dwells at the bottom of the ocean. In 2012, it was discovered off the coast of Copenhagen, Denmark.

Scientists are mystified by it. They can’t describe it in detail, and they haven’t been able to determine the amount of energy it obtains from photosynthesis. They also don’t know why it eats the chlorophyll granules it acquires. Further discoveries await “getting this animal-plant established in a culture in our laboratory,” says Ojvind Moestrup, a professor in the Marine Biological Section of the University of Copenhagen’s Department of Biology.

I found this article over at Listverse. Seems to me this certainly qualifies as a good Monday Mystery, don't you think?

Coffee out on the patio today, where it's gonna be dry and hot.

8 comments:

  1. Definitely an alien. You sure can find 'em.

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  2. That is sooo weird. Supposed to rain today yet the sun is out now. Been having some very weird weather lately. Enjoy your day.

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  3. It's good to know that there are still physical things in the world that we just can't explain.

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  4. Hey Momlady...
    Lord knows I try!
    Thanks for stopping by this morning!

    Hey Linda...
    Strange, isn't it?
    Thanks for coming by this morning!

    Hey Rob...
    This would certainly fall into that category!
    Thanks for the visit!

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  5. Thank you for your Service my Friend!
    This is strange but if it was found at the bottom of the sea why are they calling it an animal? this is a good one.

    I think pretty soon we might need to be drinking ice coffee. All though it isn't very hot here yet

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  6. WOW....that's all, just wow!!! Happy Memorial Day🇺🇸

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  7. Plant or animal, it can't decide. Sounds like some people who can't make up their mind whether they are male or female. . . ugh

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  8. Hey Jo...
    Unfortunately I don't drink iced coffee. Gotta be hot for me.
    Thanks, dear, for dropping by today!

    Hey Mamahen...
    That pretty much sums it up, I think.
    Thanks for stopping in today!

    Hey Dizzy...
    Maybe it's just confused. Who knows?
    Many thanks, my friend, for coming over today!

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