The mystery of Ming: the longest-lived mollusk in history
Discovered in 2006, the Ming oceanic halonella lived for 507 years, unlocking secrets about animal longevity and cellular maintenance.
In 2006, off the coast of Iceland, a giant oceanic halo (Arctica islandica) was dredged from the seabed. This mollusk, similar to a miniature lobster, was the subject of an important scientific discovery. The scientists analyzed its shell and, by counting the growth rings, determined that the halonella had lived for more than 405 years. This makes it the longest-lived mollusk ever documented, a true record of longevity in the animal kingdom.
But the surprises don't end there. Subsequent radiocarbon dating tests revealed that the halonella was even older than initially thought: a whopping 507 years. This means that his probable date of birth dates back to 1499 AD, during the Ming Dynasty period in China. For this reason, the media nicknamed her Ming, in honor of that distant historical period.
The extraordinary longevity of this haloella species is not an isolated case. Scientists have found that A. islandica has a very slow metabolism, which partly explains its ability to live so long. Furthermore, marine biologist Doris Abele hypothesized that the genes of this mollusc may play a fundamental role in its longevity.
One study revealed that, unlike many other organisms, levels of cell damage in A. islandica do not increase with age, suggesting an excellent capacity for cell maintenance. This may be one reason why these molluscs can live for so long without suffering serious age-related damage.
Unfortunately, despite her extraordinary longevity, Ming did not get to celebrate any more birthdays. She died in 2006 when she was dredged from her seabed refuge probably due to frostbite suffered during the recovery operation. A sad fate for an animal that has spanned centuries of human and natural history.
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