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| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
eLife
2026
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41860972/ |
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Table of 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.