Regeneration, super strength, stolen powers: Meet sea creatures inspiring research

Enlarge this image Some sea slugs can steal the abilities of other animals after eating them. Biologist Drew Harvell thinks this “super power” could be harnessed by researchers one day to make transplantation surgeries in humans more effective. TARIK TINAZAY/Getty Images hide caption toggle caption TARIK TINAZAY/Getty Images Some sea slugs can steal the abilities of other animals after eating them. Biologist Drew Harvell thinks this “super power” could be harnessed by researchers one day to make transplantation surgeries in humans more effective. TARIK TINAZAY/Getty Images From starfish and sea slugs to jellyfish and sponges, the ocean’s invertebrates are some of the most ancient and diverse critters on Earth. And so are their superpowers, as marine biologist Drew Harvell calls them. In her new book, The Ocean’s Menagerie, she chronicles the amazing abilities of some of these spineless creatures and showcases how they’ve inspired our science and medicine. Short Wave Nudibranchs Do It Better Want to hear more stories about underwater marvels? Email us and let us know at [email protected]. Listen to Short Wave on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Listen to every episode of Short Wave sponsor-free and support our work at NPR by signing up for Short Wave+ at plus.npr.org/shortwave. This episode was produced by Berly McCoy and edited by Rebecca Ramirez. Tyler Jones checked the facts. Jimmy Keeley was the audio engineer. Sponsor Message