Jellyfish grown in lab

Scientists have grown jellyfish in the laboratory; an experiment, which they claim, is their latest attempt to study the feeding habits of marine life.

A team at Marine Biological Association has cultivated scores of the moon jellyfish in the laboratory to document the decisions, which they make when searching for food, The Daily Telegraph reported.

According to the scientists, the palm-sized creatures share similar movements patterns to more sophisticated animals such as turtles, basking sharks and marine birds, particularly when searching for food.

John Rundle, who led the team, which has cultured the jellyfish from infants to adults in the laboratory, said that the largest now measures three inches in diameter. They took pictures throughout the development of the species, starting out as small as 0.1 inches.

"They grow very quickly and do not keep that shape for long. We have built a special aquarium for the jellyfish with the water moving around in an ever circular flow. Jellyfish do not thrive in static water," he was quoted as saying.

Added Guy Baker of the Marine Biological Association: "These things have to find food. They cannot just see it and get to it. The idea is that there are patterns to search that maximise the chances of finding food."

Jellyfish are composed of more than 90 per cent water. They don't have specialised digestive, central nervous, respiratory or circulatory systems. In fact, they digest food using the gastrodermal lining of gastrovascular cavity, where nutrients are absorbed.