Extreme Autotomy and Whole-Body Regeneration in Photosynthetic Sea Slugs
Scientists have started examing sacoglossan sea slugs. This new study began by observing the slugs and scientists discovered a new form of autonomy. Autonomy means the voluntary regeneration of a body part, like when lizards lose a tail and can grow a new one. This new form of autonomy allows the slugs to regenerate everything besides their heads and shred the old body. The really interesting part is they also create a new heart and shed the old one out.
Scientists have found that younger slugs shred their own bodies after consuming algae, while older slugs do not eat and die faster. Unfortunately, it is still unknown why the sacoglossan sea slugs regenerate to begin with. More tests and observation of these creatures will continue to help answer this question.