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Eye contact

COMPILED BY R. KRITHIKA

Some species of jellyfish have eyes similar to that of humans, a new study has found. The poisonous box jellyfish has 24 eyes. Scientists found that one set is very similar to the human eye and helps the jellyfish avoid obstacles on the ocean floor. Normal jellyfish tend to drift along with the current but the box jellyfish are active and can make 180-degree turns. The eyes, which are found on cup-like appendages on their body, can sense colour and size. One eye is placed on the top of the cup and the other at the bottom thus giving it a complete view of the underwater world. A study led by Anders Garm of Lund University in Sweden also discovered that the jellyfish could avoid coloured objects and those of different sizes but not transparent ones.

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