Who knew the gelatinous bags of goo known as jellyfish could have such a complex history?
The video below shows millions of golden jellyfish thriving in the evolutionary wonderment that is Jellyfish Lake.
The lake is one of many in Palau, an island nation located about 500 miles east of the Philippines.
Pamela S. Turner writes in a National Wildlife Federation (NWF) article that five lakes each contain a jellyfish "varying from its neighbors and their common ancestor in a dramatic example of the origin of species ... If Darwin had stepped ashore in Palau instead of the Galapagos, the icon of evolution might be not Darwin's finches, but Darwin's jellyfishes."
An estimated 12,000 years ago, sea levels rose following the end of the last ice age, and jellyfish became trapped in the lake. For the jellies in Jellyfish Lake, Turner writes that they quickly diverged from the spotted jellyfish, their common ancestor.
Rumor has it that the jellyfish adapted to their new conditions by losing their sting due to a lack of predators. But Laura Martin of the Coral Reef Research Foundation clarifies to NWF that although their sting is barely felt by humans, "The lake jellyfish do have stingers, and they do use them to prey on zooplankton." The jellyfish survive in large part on algae-like organisms which live in their tissues.
How does this isolated species pass the time? Quite actively, it turns out.
According to National Geographic, the golden jellyfish engage in a daily migration which follows the arc of the sun.
Around 6 a.m., the jellies swim toward the light shining from the eastern sky -- they stop short of reaching the eastern shore, where the anemones, their main predator awaits. The Coral Reef Research Foundation in Palau notes, "These anemones are likely responsible for the evolution of the remarkable, daily migration of the golden jellies."
Instead of venturing on, the jellies know to stop at the shadows cast by the trees along the shoreline. Midday the jellies rest, and then they reverse direction, heading west as the sun sinks below the horizon.
Soaking up the rays is crucial for survival. National Geographic explains, "Solar rays nourish essential, algae-like organisms called zooxanthellae, which live symbiotically in the jellies' tissues and provide their hosts with energy as a byproduct of their photosynthesis."
Not only do the jellyfish benefit from the migration, but the lake itself relies on the jellies to mix up the nutrients and small organisms in the water, taking on the role of the sea.
At night, PBS writes that the jellyfish swim to a lower depth, where the algae population is sustained by the nitrogen-rich water.
Unfortunately, Jellyfish Lake is as sensitive to humans and outside influences as other delicate marine regions. Turner reports that back in 1999, the local jellyfish perished, possibly due to overheating by El Nino and La Nina.
Then in 2003, an invasive anemone was found in the lake, reports the Coral Reef Research Foundation. The new anemone is now quickly spreading, throwing the lake's future ecology into unpredictable disarray. The Foundation writes, "Mangrove root and shallow water communities that were once dominated by algae or diverse assemblages of invertebrates are now dominated by invasive anemones."
At a World Conservation Union meeting in 2007, researchers said it was nearly certain the anemone was introduced by tourists. Former Palau President Tommy E. Remengesau said, "Invasive species, marine or terrestrial, represent one of, if not the most, dangerous threat to our islands."
Learn about how you can help protect the oceans by visiting the Ocean Conservancy's website.
View a film by Sarosh Jacob, shot on a "Canon 5D Mark II, Sigma 15mm Fisheye Lens and Aquatica Housing," with Radiohead's "Nude" song:
Check out some of our favorite jellyfish photos below:
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.