Developmental, regenerative, and behavioral dynamics in acoel reproduction.

Fuente: PubMed
Guardado en:
Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Chandra, Vikram, Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth, Kann, Allison P, Bolanos, Diana Marcela, Srivastava, Mansi
Formato: Artículo científico
Lenguaje:en
Publicado: eLife 2026
Materias:
Acceso en línea:
Etiquetas: Agregar Etiqueta
Sin Etiquetas, Sea el primero en etiquetar este registro!
_version_ 1868266071845240833
author Chandra, Vikram
Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth
Kann, Allison P
Bolanos, Diana Marcela
Srivastava, Mansi
author_facet Chandra, Vikram
Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth
Kann, Allison P
Bolanos, Diana Marcela
Srivastava, Mansi
Chandra, Vikram
Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth
Kann, Allison P
Bolanos, Diana Marcela
Srivastava, Mansi
collection PubMed - marine biology
contents Developmental, regenerative, and behavioral dynamics in acoel reproduction. Chandra, Vikram Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth Kann, Allison P Bolanos, Diana Marcela Srivastava, Mansi Animals Reproduction Regeneration Female Male Sexual Behavior, Animal Behavior, Animal Acoel worms are an enigmatic and understudied animal lineage. Sparse descriptions suggest a diversity of reproductive anatomies across acoels, and likely a corresponding behavioral diversity. Here, we study the reproductive life history of the acoel , an emerging lab-tractable model system. We describe 's reproductive organs, identifying structures previously unknown in acoels. Following worms from zygotes to adulthood, we find that their reproductive organs emerge in a stereotyped sequence as a function of increasing body size. These organs regenerate in a similar sequence after major injuries and are lost in the opposite sequence during starvation-induced de-growth, suggesting that organ growth may be regulated by a single, size-associated program in all contexts. Studying egg-laying behavior, we find that lay their eggs through their mouths after loading them into their pharynges. Worms lay eggs for months after a single mating, suggesting long-term sperm storage despite lacking a storage organ. They can also lay viable eggs without mating, indicating a capacity for self-fertilization. Finally, worms assess past and present environmental features during egg-laying decisions, frequently laying eggs in communal clutches. Together, our work establishes foundational knowledge for the study of reproductive development, physiology, and behavior in acoels.
format Artículo científico
id pubmed_41860972
institution PubMed
language en
publishDate 2026
publisher eLife
record_format pubmed
spellingShingle Developmental, regenerative, and behavioral dynamics in acoel reproduction.
Chandra, Vikram
Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth
Kann, Allison P
Bolanos, Diana Marcela
Srivastava, Mansi
Animals
Reproduction
Regeneration
Female
Male
Sexual Behavior, Animal
Behavior, Animal
Developmental, regenerative, and behavioral dynamics in acoel reproduction. Chandra, Vikram Tseng, Samantha Elizabeth Kann, Allison P Bolanos, Diana Marcela Srivastava, Mansi Animals Reproduction Regeneration Female Male Sexual Behavior, Animal Behavior, Animal Acoel worms are an enigmatic and understudied animal lineage. Sparse descriptions suggest a diversity of reproductive anatomies across acoels, and likely a corresponding behavioral diversity. Here, we study the reproductive life history of the acoel , an emerging lab-tractable model system. We describe 's reproductive organs, identifying structures previously unknown in acoels. Following worms from zygotes to adulthood, we find that their reproductive organs emerge in a stereotyped sequence as a function of increasing body size. These organs regenerate in a similar sequence after major injuries and are lost in the opposite sequence during starvation-induced de-growth, suggesting that organ growth may be regulated by a single, size-associated program in all contexts. Studying egg-laying behavior, we find that lay their eggs through their mouths after loading them into their pharynges. Worms lay eggs for months after a single mating, suggesting long-term sperm storage despite lacking a storage organ. They can also lay viable eggs without mating, indicating a capacity for self-fertilization. Finally, worms assess past and present environmental features during egg-laying decisions, frequently laying eggs in communal clutches. Together, our work establishes foundational knowledge for the study of reproductive development, physiology, and behavior in acoels.
title Developmental, regenerative, and behavioral dynamics in acoel reproduction.
topic Animals
Reproduction
Regeneration
Female
Male
Sexual Behavior, Animal
Behavior, Animal
url https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41860972/