Sea Anemone

Sea anemones share the hydra's basic body plan—a tube-shaped body with tentacles surrounding a mouth—and appear to share its potential for biological immortality. Some anemone specimens in aquaria have lived over 80 years with no signs of senescence, and there's no theoretical limit to their lifespan. Like hydras, they continuously replace all cells through active stem cell populations, never accumulating the damage that causes aging in most animals.

The anemone's clonal reproduction adds another immortality dimension. Many species reproduce by splitting—a single anemone becomes two genetically identical individuals. Colonies of genetically identical anemones can cover vast areas, each 'individual' being a fragment of an original that may have lived centuries ago. The genetic lineage persists even as physical individuals divide.

For business strategy, sea anemones illustrate how organizations can achieve immortality through both individual persistence and clonal reproduction (franchising, spinning off divisions, licensing). The original organization may or may not persist, but its 'genetic' material—processes, culture, brand—can spread through copies that carry the lineage forward. McDonald's franchises are anemone clones; each is a separate entity carrying the original's essential patterns.

The anemone's symbiotic relationships—many host photosynthetic algae that provide nutrition—demonstrate how partnerships can enhance longevity. The anemone provides protection; the algae provide food. Neither needs to be self-sufficient. Long-lived organizations often have similar symbioses: corporations with long-term suppliers, institutions with donor relationships, or governments with tax-paying populations.