What is the oldest living organism on the planet?

"Animals of this and similar species of Antarctic sponges grow extremely slowly in the low temperatures. Estimates based on growth rates suggest a very long lifespan in this and similar animals. One two meter high specimen in the Ross Sea was estimated to be 23,000 years old, though because of sea level fluctuations in the Ross Sea it is unlikely that such an animal could have lived for more than 15,000 years. Even if 15,000 years is an overestimate, which may well be the case, this specimen appears to be the longest-lived animal on earth."

Re: What is the oldest living organism on the planet?

#6

Post by hplust » Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 3:20 PM UTC

is it just me or is this article written like someone who did a few google searches for old organisms and then writes down their speculations in the form of what some would call an article?

tl;dr https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_(tree)

"However, the oldest, precisely measured organism living on Earth today remains, for now, a Great Basin Bristlecone pine tree. Pando the quaking aspen and Antarctic glass sponges could be much older but their ages are assumed from indirect measurements and educated guesswork. "

Re: What is the oldest living organism on the planet?

#7

Post by 4ndr3vv » Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 3:23 PM UTC

Radiolab had a show on this story back in the day:

http://www.radiolab.org/story/91722-be-careful-what-you-plan...

Re: What is the oldest living organism on the planet?

#8

Post by coldpie » Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 3:27 PM UTC

4ndr3vv wrote: post #7

Radiolab had a show on this story back in the day: http://www.radiolab.org/story/91722-be-careful-what-you-plan...

The Skeptic's Guide to the Universe also discussed the 80,000 year old clonal tree in a recent episode (I think the latest?). http://www.theskepticsguide.org/podcast/sgu

Re: What is the oldest living organism on the planet?

#9

Post by Diederich » Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 3:28 PM UTC

The main Bristlecone Pine grove in California is a lovely place. It sits near 10,000 feet, and yet is pretty easy to drive to. It's about five or six hours east of the SF bay area, depending on whether Tioga pass is open or not. (This year, the pass will be opening quite late.)

I strongly encourage a visit if at all possible. It is truly like another world up there, and the silence is magnificent.

Re: What is the oldest living organism on the planet?

#10

Post by babesh » Tue, Jun 13, 2017, 3:47 PM UTC

How cavalier we are about taking life of other species.