OUR EXPERIMENTAL MODELS
We work with a diverse range of aquatic invertebrates, either maintained in the laboratory or collected from local marine ecosystems, to study biological and developmental processes. Our research employs morphological, functional, and comparative molecular approaches
Current experimental models in the lab
Tetrapygus niger (Echinodermata)
Tetrapygus niger is a sea urchin species native to the temperate Pacific coast, ranging from northern Peru to southern Chile, and inhabiting depths from the intertidal zone to 40 meters. Despite being the most abundant sea urchin species in Chile, its biology and ecology remain poorly understood. However, T. niger holds significant potential as a new Evo-Devo model system, representing an early-branching lineage within sea urchins.
Sea urchins are well-established model organisms for studying developmental biology, ocean acidification, and climate change. Given these strengths, T. niger is uniquely positioned to emerge as a valuable animal model system and serves as our primary experimental focus.
Crassostrea gigas (Mollusca)
Crassostrea gigas, a globally distributed oyster species, inhabits intertidal and shallow subtidal marine waters. It is cultivated along the Chilean coast and holds significant economic importance in aquaculture. C. gigas has emerged as a valuable model for developmental studies due to its minimal culture requirements and easy access to embryonic material.
The species' metamorphic transition from a mobile planktonic larva to a sessile adult, well-characterized developmental timeline, established molecular biology protocols, and extensive omics data further enhance its research utility. Moreover, C. gigas is an excellent model for investigating animal responses to environmental stressors and functional adaptations. These features make C. gigas one of our preferred experimental models.
Boccardia wellingtonensis (Annelida)
Boccardia wellingtonensis is an annelid species found in the intertidal zones of New Zealand, South Africa, and Chile. We are particularly interested in B. wellingtonensis because it is one of the rare examples of poecilogony, a phenomenon where two distinct developmental modes coexist within a single species, producing different larval types. This unique trait makes B. wellingtonensis an excellent model for studying dimorphic developmental programs and the genomic mechanisms underlying developmental divergence.
Additionally, B. wellingtonensis has the remarkable ability to regenerate both anterior and posterior body parts in adulthood, making it a valuable model for exploring the cellular and molecular processes of regeneration. These features make B. wellingtonensis a fascinating species and an important focus of our research.
Comming (soon) experimental models to the lab
Patiria chilensis (Echinodermata)
Patiria chilensis is a sea star species native to the coastal waters of Peru and Chile. Despite being the most abundant sea star in Chile, its biology remains poorly understood. As EvoDevo enthusiasts, we view P. chilensis as an ideal species for comparative studies with T. niger, particularly in investigating co-option, body plan evolution, and cis-regulatory evolution.
Additionally, P. chilensis offers a valuable opportunity to examine how genomes regulate cell fate decisions during development and how these processes evolve over time.
Phoronis spp. (Phoronida)
During our field trips to collect animals, we discovered a worm-like species living inside the shells of oysters and sea snails. We have identified this species as a phoronid, one of the few described to date. We are currently in the process of characterizing it and are excited to explore the fascinating world of phoronid biology and development.
Nematostella vectensis (Cnidaria)
Nematostella vectensis is a sea anemone species widely used in research. It serves as a model system for studying evolution, genomics, reproductive biology, developmental biology, and ecology. Due to its advantageous phylogenetic position as an early-branching bilaterian and its ease of maintenance in the laboratory, we are incorporating N. vectensis into our research initiatives.
Lepidodermella squamata (Gastrotricha)
Given our interest in underexplored animal taxa and our ongoing quest for new experimental models, we have turned our attention to Lepidodermella squamata. This gastrotrich species exhibits a parthenogenetic reproductive mode and lacks an ectodermal hindgut, as well as specialized respiratory and circulatory systems. These unique features, along with many others yet to be discovered, make L. squamata an intriguing species for the EvoDevo field.