Fixing of coral larvae: new data

The fixing of cnidar larvae. Meanwhile, prerequisite essential for coral training – Fixing coral larvae: new data

The “fixation” of the larvae is a key event in the life cycle of corals as well as many other marine organisms, including other cnidaires such as medose and sea anemones. In addition, In each case. For example, the fixing process begins a metamorphosis which transforms the swimming larva in a sessile adult stage, that is to say fixed to the substrate. However, For certain species of corals, this fixation constitutes the first step in the formation of a coral reef.

The larvae of all the species of cnidaires are called Planlas. They have a simple structure, made up of tissue layers organized in a tapered cylinder. The data from previous studies suggest that cells located at the anterior end. that is to say before, in the direction of swimming, play a sensory fixing coral larvae: new data role by detecting the characteristics of the substrate in order to select an appropriate fixing site. However, we know very little about the different types of cells present in this region and their operating mode.

This study aimed to better understand these anterior cells of the Planula, by analyzing their molecular composition. Of the planulas two species of corals (Astroides calycularis of the Mediterranean. and Polypora acute obtained from a tropical aquarium) were compared to those of the Medusa Patch hemisphaericaa reference model organism. Two types of data were obtained for each species: on the one hand. sequences of genes expressed preferentially in the previous fragments of the larva; On the other hand, genetic signatures specific to each cell type.

Degrade taurine to promote fixation

The integration of this data made it possible to define common characteristics of the cells of the anterior end of the Planla of the three species. while fixing coral larvae: new data identifying the specializations specific to each. In a striking way. genes involved in absorption and catabolism (ie destruction) of a small molecule called taurine has proven to be expressed specifically in anterior cell types of the three species studied. Complementary experiences carried out with the plaulas of Patch et AstroidS has provided important information: the addition of taurine. in sea water prevented the fixing of larvae at the bottom.

These results make it possible to define the cell architecture of the aborel pole of cnidar larvae. highlight a potential role of taurine in the regulation of the fixing process. Such knowledge could have concrete applications in the context of the restoration of coral reefs. In addition. data from this study also feeds the reflections of evolution biologists, which suggest that the previous sensory systems involved in the selection of the substrate in the first animals could be the origin of the fixing coral larvae: new data animal brain.