ABSTRACT
Background The marine tube worm model Hydroides elegans is an emerging system for probing the molecular foundations of bacterial influences on development. However, a complete description of the life cycle from fertilization through sexual maturity remains scattered in the literature, and lacks standardization.
Results Here we present a unified staging scheme detailing the major morphological changes that occur during the entire life cycle of the animal. These data represent the most complete record of the entire life cycle, and serve as a foundation for connecting molecular changes with morphology.
Conclusions These descriptions and associated staging scheme are especially timely as this system gains traction within research communities. As a frontrunning animal model for studying how bacteria stimulate development, characterizing major developmental events like metamorphosis in greater resolution is essential for future investigation of the molecular mechanisms in bacteria and in the worm host that are driving these changes.
Competing Interest Statement
The authors have declared no competing interest.