Scientists Have Found a 507-Year-Old Mollusk: How It Survived Centuries and Why It Died.

According to ТСН: This could have been a joyous story about amazing longevity, but unfortunately, it ended tragically. A mollusk of the species Arctica islandica, pulled from the ocean floor off the coast of Iceland, turned out to be the oldest non-colonial animal ever found.

The sad fate of this longevity record holder is reported by IFLScience.

Witness of History

The mollusk was discovered in 2006. Initially, by counting the annual rings on the shell, scientists estimated it to be 405 years old. But radiocarbon analysis showed an even more impressive number — 507 years.

This means the animal came into the world around 1499. For this reason, the mollusk was named Min, after the Chinese dynasty of that time.

“Min lived to be 507 years old, surviving the Reformation, the Enlightenment, and all the seasons of the show 'Seinfeld' [9 seasons, 180 episodes, aired from 1989 to 1998 — ed.],” the authors of the article ironically note.

“Murder” for Science

Unfortunately, Min did not survive its encounter with humanity. The animal died in 2006, likely because it was frozen immediately after being brought up from the depths, before scientists realized its uniqueness.

“In short, we found an individual long-lived animal and killed it the same day. Another great victory for humanity,” the material notes.

What Is the Secret of Mollusks’ Longevity

Scientists explain that this species of mollusks has a very slow metabolism and low oxygen consumption.

“Except for the oxidation of nucleic acids, the damage level of A. islandica does not change with age, which indicates excellent cellular maintenance,” the scientific paper dedicated to this species states.

Interestingly, these mollusks also have significant industrial value. Researchers note that anyone who has tasted clam chowder in New England probably sampled the meat of individuals who lived for several hundred years.

It should be noted that there are organisms on Earth that live even longer. For example, some sponges can live over 2000 years, but they are colonial. Min remains the oldest known individual animal.

It is worth mentioning that the oldest nesting bird in the world is preparing to surprise scientists again. Wisdom, due to its long age, has laid about 50 to 60 eggs and has become the mother of 30 chicks.

Despite the tragic fate of the mollusk Min, it opens new horizons for scientific research. Many questions remain unanswered, but one can state with certainty: nature has its mysteries that still need to be unraveled. Its longevity and scientific significance underline the importance of preserving marine ecosystems during times of global change.