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Challenging the central brain dogma: new experimental insights from the moon jellyfish (Aurelia spp.)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 November 2025

Christian Agrillo Open the ORCID record for Christian Agrillo [Opens in a new window] ,
Alessandra Pecunioso ,
Gregorio Motta ,
Massimo Avian  and
Cinzia Chiandetti
Christian Agrillo*
Affiliation:
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy christian.agrillo@unipd.it Padua Neuroscience Center, Padova, Italy
Alessandra Pecunioso
Affiliation:
Department of General Psychology, University of Padova, Padova, Italy christian.agrillo@unipd.it
Gregorio Motta
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy cchiandetti@units.it gregorio.motta@units.it avian@units.it
Massimo Avian
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy cchiandetti@units.it gregorio.motta@units.it avian@units.it
Cinzia Chiandetti*
Affiliation:
Department of Life Sciences, University of Trieste, Trieste, Italy cchiandetti@units.it gregorio.motta@units.it avian@units.it
*
*Corresponding author.
*Corresponding author.
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Abstract

Assuming that cognitive complexity follows a single, centralized trajectory overlooks key gaps: (1) the scarcity of cognitive studies on non-centralized species; (2) the potential of alternative neural architectures to support complex behavior; and (3) the influence of ecological niche pressures. Here we present evidence of curiosity-like behavior in a jellyfish, challenging the assumed link between centralized brains and complex cognition.

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Type
Open Peer Commentary
Information
Behavioral and Brain Sciences , Volume 48 , 2025 , e78
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Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press

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References

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