Developmental staging and future research directions of the model marine tubewormHydroides elegans

Abstract

Background: The marine tube worm modelHydroides elegansis an emerging system for probing the molecular foundations of bacterial influences on development. However, a complete description of the life cycle from fertilization through sexual maturity remains scattered in the literature, and lacks standardization. Results: Here we present a unified staging scheme detailing the major morphological changes that occur during the entire life cycle of the animal. These data represent the most complete record of the entire life cycle, and serve as a foundation for connecting molecular changes with morphology. Conclusions: These descriptions and associated staging scheme are especially timely as this system gains traction within research communities. As a frontrunning animal model for studying how bacteria stimulate development, characterizing major developmental events like metamorphosis in greater resolution is essential for future investigation of the molecular mechanisms in bacteria and in the worm host that are driving these changes.

A modular plasmid toolkit applied in marine bacteria reveals functional insights during bacteria-stimulated metamorphosis

“…The larvae were fed live Isochrysis galbana and cultures were maintained as described previously. The larvae were used for metamorphosis assays once they reached competency (between 5 and 7 d old) ( 108 ).…”

A modular plasmid toolkit applied in marine Proteobacteria reveals functional insights during bacteria-stimulated metamorphosis

“…The larvae were fed live Isochrysis galbana and cultures were maintained as described previously. The larvae were used for metamorphosis assays once they reached competency (between 5 and 7 days old) (109).…”