When a predator comes close to a certain species of jellyfish, the jellyfish turns off the lights in its bell-shaped body and turns on the lights at the ends of its tentacles. Then the jellyfish stretches its body as far as possible from its tentacles. As the predator approaches the lighted tentacles, the jellyfish switches off all its lights and scoots away as fast as it can. If the predator wasn't fooled and wants to continue the chase, the jellyfish switches to its backup plan. It now turns on both the blue lights in its body and the white lights in its tentacles. When the attacker is very close, the jellyfish turns off the light in its body and takes off after detaching its still-glowing tentacles. The tentacles continue to twist and turn in the water, distracting the predator. Jellyfish are among the most “primitive” multicelled animals according to evolution. Yet this clever survival strategy clearly demonstrates that jellyfish are neither simple nor primitive.
Another kind of jellyfish collects in swimming colonies called siphonophores. These colonies can be up to 40 feet long and function in total darkness more than 1,500 feet beneath the ocean's surface. When they link up, some of the jellyfish act as mouths, while others act as stomachs. Some take care of the swimming, while others cast out their tentacles to gather food. When joined, they act as one huge single creature! How did creatures capable of independent survival evolve the ability to function as part of a complex colony? Does this not demonstrate planning and design?
From A Closer Look at the Evidence by Kleiss, April 2.
