Dear Annelid folks,
We want to inform you about an exciting new project that has been
funded by the National Science Foundation in the USA. This project will
examine the evolution of segmentation through studying annelid phylogeny
and using an "Evo-Devo" (evolution of developmental mechanisms)
approach. This is a five-year project designed to provide the community
with resources for additional annelid studies. Over the next couple of years,
we will ask the community for their help and support with obtaining
samples. We will also try to provide the community with timely updates on
our progress. Below is the "Project Summary" of the grant.
WormNet: Reconstructing the early evolution of segmented annelid worms
K. M. Halanych, M. Martindale, E. Seaver, D. McHugh, and the Joint
Genome Institute (J. Boore, D. Rokhsar)
Understanding metazoan phylogeny has been confounded by
interpretations of the degree and nature of segmentation in body plans. In
particular, the Annelida, commonly called segmented worms, has been
central to debates on the role of segmentation in animal evolution. Recent
evidence suggests that several non-segmented or partially segmented worm
taxa, that were previously regarded as separate phyla, are within the
annelid radiation. These recent results conflict with the comprehensive
phylogenetic analyses of annelids based on morphological characters
(Rouse and Fauchald, 1997; Rouse, 1999). Furthermore, because annelids
are one of the most evolutionarily successful "phyla" and because they
diversified in the late PreCambrian to early Cambrian, understanding their
early evolutionary history is paramount to understanding the evolution of
animal life.
The proposed work has two goals: 1) Genomic approaches will be used to
reconstruct the early phylogenetic events of the "Annelida", which includes
several previously recognized phyla, and 2) Functional genomic techniques
will be used to characterize the developmental mechanisms employed in
segmentation in several key lineages. Interpreting segmentation, a
hallmark of annelids, in the context of the phylogeny will allow novel insights
on the role and plasticity of segmentation during animal evolution. This
project has been called "WormNet" because it represents an
interdisciplinary network of researchers, at four institutions, focusing on
these goals in a manner that enhances education and outreach activities.
Additionally, this program is designed to jumpstart other areas of
research in the major metazoan clade Lophotrochozoa (annelids, mollusks,
lophophorates, and their allies). Publicly available cDNA and genomic BAC
libraries will be produced, and data from approximately 130 completely
sequenced mitochondrial genomes will provide needed markers for
population genetic and systematic studies. Given that annelids are the most
abundant and ubiquitous animal "phlyum" in the deep sea (which covers
70% of the planet), serve as bioindicators, have a role in bioremediation,
and include up-and-coming model organisms, the importance of
understanding their evolution cannot be understated.
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Kenneth M. Halanych
Biology Department
MS 33
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
Woods Hole, MA 02543
http://www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/khalanych/kmhpage.html
Phone: (508) 289-3565
Fax: (508) 457-2134
Friday Harbor Evolution of Developmental Mechanisms Class 2001
http://www.whoi.edu/science/B/people/khalanych/evodevo2001/index.html
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