Regina Barber

Tyler Jones checked the facts. Jimmy Keeley and Becky Brown were the audio engineers. I'm Emily Kwong.

Tyler Jones checked the facts. Jimmy Keeley and Becky Brown were the audio engineers. I'm Emily Kwong.

When it comes to the ocean, some species get more attention than others.

When it comes to the ocean, some species get more attention than others.

When it comes to the ocean, some species get more attention than others.

Sharks and dolphins also tend to get a lot of love. But marine biologist Drew Harvell fell in love with a different group in the ocean.

Sharks and dolphins also tend to get a lot of love. But marine biologist Drew Harvell fell in love with a different group in the ocean.

Sharks and dolphins also tend to get a lot of love. But marine biologist Drew Harvell fell in love with a different group in the ocean.

These unsung icons of the sea have no backbones. And there's a lot of them.

These unsung icons of the sea have no backbones. And there's a lot of them.

These unsung icons of the sea have no backbones. And there's a lot of them.

Drew was so fascinated with spineless creatures that she wrote a whole book about these ancient critters and how their long evolutionary histories have led to some interesting biology.

Drew was so fascinated with spineless creatures that she wrote a whole book about these ancient critters and how their long evolutionary histories have led to some interesting biology.

Drew was so fascinated with spineless creatures that she wrote a whole book about these ancient critters and how their long evolutionary histories have led to some interesting biology.

And it's not the only one. Across these marine invertebrates, there's a whole bunch of superpowers. Everything from regeneration to super strength and even stealing other animals' abilities. Drew says understanding these animals' superpowers not only helps researchers understand the rules of life, the lessons scientists learn from them can transform our medicines.

And it's not the only one. Across these marine invertebrates, there's a whole bunch of superpowers. Everything from regeneration to super strength and even stealing other animals' abilities. Drew says understanding these animals' superpowers not only helps researchers understand the rules of life, the lessons scientists learn from them can transform our medicines.

And it's not the only one. Across these marine invertebrates, there's a whole bunch of superpowers. Everything from regeneration to super strength and even stealing other animals' abilities. Drew says understanding these animals' superpowers not only helps researchers understand the rules of life, the lessons scientists learn from them can transform our medicines.

So today on the show, the strange world of the ocean's spineless creatures, what their ancient superpowers are, and how they continue to inspire human innovation today. I'm Regina Barber. You're listening to Shorewave, the science podcast from NPR.

So today on the show, the strange world of the ocean's spineless creatures, what their ancient superpowers are, and how they continue to inspire human innovation today. I'm Regina Barber. You're listening to Shorewave, the science podcast from NPR.

So today on the show, the strange world of the ocean's spineless creatures, what their ancient superpowers are, and how they continue to inspire human innovation today. I'm Regina Barber. You're listening to Shorewave, the science podcast from NPR.