sequences in molecular phylogenetic trees is consistent with early observations that polychaetes tend to have relatively short branches in such trees, and hence are useful taxa with which to reconstruct gene family evolution. Also it is clear that the traditional molecular model systems for protostomes (e.g. Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans), which are restricted to the Ecdyso...

The marine environment is becoming increasingly contaminated by environmental pollutants with the potential to damage DNA, with marine sediments acting as a sink for many of these contaminants. Understanding genotoxic responses in sediment-dwelling marine organisms, such as polychaetes, is therefore of increasing importance. This study is an exploration of species-specific and cell-specific dif...

sequences in molecular phylogenetic trees is consistent with early observations that polychaetes tend to have relatively short branches in such trees, and hence are useful taxa with which to reconstruct gene family evolution. Also it is clear that the traditional molecular model systems for protostomes (e.g. Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans), which are restricted to the Ecdyso...

sequences in molecular phylogenetic trees is consistent with early observations that polychaetes tend to have relatively short branches in such trees, and hence are useful taxa with which to reconstruct gene family evolution. Also it is clear that the traditional molecular model systems for protostomes (e.g. Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans), which are restricted to the Ecdyso...

Annelids are among the first coelomates and are therefore of special phylogenetic interest. They constitute an important part of the biomass of the seashore, estuaries, fresh water and terrestrial soils. Moreover, they occupy a central position in the trophic networks, as a major food source for fishes, birds and terrestrial fauna. Among Annelids, the large majority of polychaetes is restricted...

Biological invasions can have manifold effects on native biota, including impacts species interactions in invaded ecosystems. Among those are parasite-host interactions, for example cases where invaders serve as a new host parasites, leading to an amplification of the parasite population which may ultimately result increased infection levels original hosts (parasite spillback). In this study, w...

In the Central Red Sea, healthy coral reefs meet intense coastal development, but data on the effects of related stressors for reef functioning are lacking. This in situ study therefore investigated the independent and combined effects of simulated overfishing through predator/grazer exclusion and simulated eutrophication through fertilizer addition on settlement of reef associated invertebrate...

We present the Wrst study of the eVects of ocean acidiWcation on settlement of benthic invertebrates and microfauna. ArtiWcial collectors were placed for 1 month along pH gradients at CO2 vents oV Ischia (Tyrrhenian Sea, Italy). Seventy-nine taxa were identiWed from six main taxonomic groups (foraminiferans, nematodes, polychaetes, molluscs, crustaceans and chaetognaths). Calcareous foraminifer...

Polychaetes are vital for evaluating the effects of toxic metals in marine systems, and sensitive molecular biomarkers should be integral to monitoring efforts. However, few polychaete markers that exist inconsistent, even within same species, failing identify gene expression changes metal-exposed animals incurring clear metabolic costs. Comparing previously characterised metal-responsive genes...

benthic organisms have been studied in past to assess the health of an aquatic ecosystem. moreover, being sedentary forms they have been used as indicator organisms. in the present study, an attempt has been made to study the distribution and assemblage of major macrobenthic forms occurring in ponnani estuary. a total of 23 genera of benthic invertebrate fauna belonging to 6 groups viz., polych...