Did humans descend from JELLYFISH? Scientists believe comb jellies could an early ancestor

Researchers have created the first full genome sequence of a comb jelly

They wanted to fill in gaps currently missing in the genome data

However, the sequence highlighted similarities with all animal species

And even suggested that the comb jelly could have kicked off evolution

It’s long been thought we evolved from sea sponges, but new genetic research suggests that jellyfish-style creatures may have kicked off the human race.

While trying to fill the gaps in the genome sequence of the comb jelly, a gelatinous sea creature similar to a jellyfish, researchers discovered it was related to all other animal species in the world.

In fact, it shared so many similarities, the researchers went as far to suggest the creature may have been one of our first ancestors.



While studying the genome sequence of a comb jelly, pictured, researchers from Miami and Maryland discovered similarities between the gelatinous sea creature and all other animal groups. It even suggested the comb jelly may be original species from which all others evolved

WHAT ARE COMB JELLIES AND SEA SPONGES?

The warty comb jelly, also known as a sea walnut or Venus girdle is a species of ctenophore. They are found in the western Atlantic coastal waters. Comb jellies have oval-shaped transparent bodies, with four rows of 'combs' that run along the body vertically and glow blue-green when disturbed.

They look similar to jellyfish, and their bodies are made up of 97 per cent water, but do not sting.

They only grow between three and fives inches long and have a one-inch diameter.

Sponges, on the other hand, are organisms made up of multiple cells full of pores and channels.

These pores and channels let water flow through them and sponges feed, and get oxygen, from this water.

The research was carried out by scientists from the University of Miami and the National Human Genome Research Institute (NHGRI) in Maryland.

They wanted to create the full genome sequence of a comb jelly to fill in some of the gaps in knowledge about the creature.



For the study, they analysed a particular type of comb jelly called the sea walnut, or Mnemiopsis leidyi, found in the Atlantic Ocean.



When they mapped the genome and ran it through a computer program, the researchers discovered it shared DNA with all other animals.



They were also surprised to find that the spread of its DNA through these other species suggested it may have been the starting point.



More than half a billion years ago a single line of species separated from all other animals and scientists traditionally believed this originated with sea sponges.



According to findings published in the journal Science, however, the comb jelly may be 'the earliest branch of the animal tree and the sister lineage to that of all other animals'.

More than half a billion years ago a single line of species separated from all other animals and scientists traditionally believed this originated with sea sponges, pictured. This new genome sequencing suggests that it was instead the comb jelly, that is found in the Atlantic Ocean

This may also impact on the theory that all animals developed a nervous system and muscles, too.



Sponges don't have a nervous system or muscles and when scientists considered them to be our first ancestors, it was assumed other animals evolved and developed these features over time.



However, comb jellies do have these features. This means that if they were the first ancestors, some species lost their nervous systems and muscles, despite the fact they would have given that species a so-called 'survival advantage.'

'Having genomic data from the ctenophores is crucial from a comparative genomics perspective, since it allows us to determine what physical and structural features were present in animals early on,' said author Dr Andy Baxevanis from NHGRI's Division of Intramural Research.

