Marine Invertebrate Physiology and Ecology

NvashA function reveals temporal differences in neural subtype generation in cnidarians

The paper uses single-cell RNA sequencing to show that distinct neuronal subtypes in cnidarians emerge at different developmental stages, revealing temporal patterning in neurogenesis.

Rupture-Repair Cycles in Regenerating Hydra Tissues

The paper studies rupture-repair cycles in regenerating Hydra tissues, finding that Ca2+-dependent repair efficiency controls the distribution of rupture magnitudes.

The 3D architecture of the ctenophore aboral organ and the evolution of complex integrative centers in animals

This study reveals the cellular architecture of the ctenophore aboral organ using electron microscopy, showing synaptic and non-synaptic communication and functional convergence.

Calcareous sponge cell atlas provides support to homology between sponge and eumetazoan body plans

The paper supports Haeckel's hypothesis of homology between sponge and eumetazoan body plans by comparing single-cell transcriptomes of sponges and cnidarians.

An ancient monoaminergic signaling system coordinates contractility in a nerveless sponge

This study identifies an ancient monoaminergic system in sponges that coordinates contractility through tryptamine signaling, predating neurons.

Neural Connectome of the Ctenophore Statocyst

The paper uses volume electron microscopy to reconstruct the neural network of the ctenophore statocyst, revealing its coordinating role in gravity sensing.

Life-stage-specific specialities in the cell atlases of the Clytia hemisphaerica planula and medusa

The paper compares cell atlases of Clytia hemisphaerica planula and medusa stages using single-cell transcriptomics to identify stage-specific cell types and their transcriptional profiles.

Cellular and transcriptional trajectories of neural fate specification in sea anemone uncover two modes of adult neurogenesis

The paper identifies two modes of adult neurogenesis in sea anemones using single-cell transcriptomics and reporter tracing.

Rhopilema nomadica in the Mediterranean: molecular evidence for migration and ecological hypothesis regarding its proliferation

The paper identifies the origin of Rhopilema nomadica in the Western Indian Ocean and suggests the Aswan High Dam contributed to its proliferation in the Mediterranean.

Morphological, molecular, and functional evidence for a CNS-like oral nerve ring in the sea anemone Nematostella vectensis

This study identifies a centralized oral nerve ring in Nematostella vectensis with molecular and functional features similar to bilaterian interneurons, suggesting neural centralization predates the cnidarian-bilaterian split.

Independent origins of spicules reconcile palaeontological and molecular evidence of the evolutionary history of sponges

The paper reconciles molecular and fossil evidence by showing sponges emerged in the early Ediacaran without spicules, which evolved independently multiple times later.

Coral venom and toxins as protection against crown-of-thorns sea star attack

The paper investigates how coral venom toxins influence crown-of-thorns sea star feeding preferences by comparing venom profiles across preferred and non-preferred coral species.

The complete mitochondrial genomes of Litophyton sp. and Stereonephthya sp., members of family Nephtheidae (Cnidaria: Anthozoa: Octocorallia).

This study sequences the complete mitochondrial genomes of two Nephtheidae species, confirming their gene arrangement and phylogenetic placement within the family.

Wnt signaling restores evolutionary loss of regenerative potential in Hydra

This study identifies Wnt signaling as critical for foot regeneration in Hydra, showing its restoration can rescue regeneration in a species that otherwise lacks this ability.

Nutritional regulation of cellular quiescence depth and cell cycle re-entry in Vasa2+/Piwi1+ cells in a sea anemone

This study shows that starvation induces reversible G1/G0 arrest in Vasa2+/Piwi1+ cells of Nematostella vectensis, with refeeding-dependent TOR signaling controlling cell cycle re-entry.

The mitochondrial genome of Palythoa tuberculosa (Esper, 1805) contains a novel ORF with unknown function.

The paper reports a novel ORF insertion in the mitochondrial genome of Palythoa tuberculosa, distinct from previously reported ORF extensions in zoantharians.

Ectopic head regeneration after nervous system ablation in a sea anemone

This study shows that in Nematostella vectensis, nervous system ablation leads to ectopic head regeneration in head fragments, suggesting the nervous system provides positional information to suppress head regeneration in foot fragments.

Heat stress disrupts early development and photosymbiosis in Cassiopea jellyfish

This study examines how heat stress affects the development and photosymbiosis of Cassiopea jellyfish, finding reduced chlorophyll in algae, delayed metamorphosis, and abnormal ephyra morphology.

Acridine Orange dye for long-term staining and live imaging of cnidarian development and regeneration

This study evaluates Acridine Orange as a staining tool for long-term live imaging of cnidarian development and regeneration, finding it suitable for Nematostella vectensis but not for cell tracking via microinjection.

Extracellular matrix remodeling supports Hydra vulgaris head regeneration and stem cell invasion

Predation on scyphozoan polyps and selective nematocyst incorporation dynamics in the aeolid, Caloria militaris

This study examines how two nudibranch species interact with scyphozoan polyps, finding that Caloria militaris consumes them and uses nematocysts for defense, while Flabellina affinis avoids them.

Global distribution patterns of an ocean-surface dwelling animal are associated with organismal mirror asymmetry

The paper examines the global distribution of Velella jellyfish and finds that mirror asymmetry correlates with geographic patterns, supporting wind-sorting as the primary mechanism.

Molecular dynamics of the matrisome across sea anemone life history

The paper identifies conserved matrisomal networks in sea anemones that coordinate life history transitions through proteomic and transcriptomic analysis.

A Molecular, Spatial, and Regulatory Atlas of the Hydra vulgaris Nervous System

This study characterizes the nervous system of Hydra vulgaris using scRNA-seq, identifying 15 neuron subtypes, mapping their spatial distribution, and exploring regulatory mechanisms through ATAC-seq and trajectory inference.

Distributed neural computation and the evolution of the first brains

This study investigates the neural architecture of the acoel worm Hofstenia miamia, finding a diffuse brain with computationally pluripotent regions that support robust behavior.

Examination of germline and somatic intercellular bridges in Hydra vulgaris reveals insights into the evolutionarily conserved mechanism of intercellular bridge formation

This study examines intercellular bridges in Hydra vulgaris, identifying conserved components and revealing their evolutionary significance in cellular connectivity and coordination.

The evolution of an individual-like dispersive stage in colonial siphonophores

This study investigates the mechanism of eudoxid release in siphonophores, showing it involves muscle evolution and colony modification, leading to an individual-like dispersal stage that contributes to ecological success.

Extracellular Polymeric Substances Drive Curvibacter Host Adaptation and Co-Speciation with Hydra

This study shows Curvibacter bacteria co-evolve with Hydra through extracellular polymeric substances, enabling host-specific colonization and symbiosis stability.

Identifying neuropeptides in Hydra: a custom pipeline reveals a non-amidated regulator of muscle contraction and other new members

This study identifies new neuropeptides in Hydra using a custom pipeline, revealing a non-amidated regulator of muscle contraction and highlighting neuropeptide diversity and evolutionary adaptability.

Hydra in Flow: Investigating the Flow Response of Hydra via Microfluidic Systems

This study uses microfluidic systems to investigate how different Hydra species respond to fluid flow, finding species-specific biomechanical responses such as alignment and attachment.