February 3, 2025
Seminar: Diversity and evolution of branching worms and their host sponges
The annelid family Syllidae represents a fascinating lineage of marine worms. It is the largest and most diverse family among the annelids, with more than 1,000 species that inhabit virtually all habitats and deep seas. These marine worms are known for their various modes of reproduction (sexual and asexual) and their incredible capacity for regeneration. Among them, certain species stand out for their unique branched body structures, such as the symbiotic “arboreal silica worms” (Ramisyllis spp.) that live within sponges. These worms possess a single head but develop a body that repeatedly branches into numerous posterior ends. By employing an integrative approach that combines morphology, molecular biology, and ecology, our research seeks to uncover how these branching worms have evolved and formed specialized relationships with their sponge hosts.
speaker
Dra. Maite Aguado (Biodiversity Museum of the Georg-August-University Göttingen)
When and where
03/02/2025
12:00h
Edifici complex M2 (Carrer Blaise Pascal, 7, Parc Bit)