MSc Student
Advisor: Tim Wollesen

Unit for Integrative Zoology, Department of Evolutionary Biology
University of Vienna

Abstract

Numerous marine invertebrates living in intertidal or interstitial habitats display attachment mechanisms to, among others, counter currents, move around periodically and capture prey. The specific functionality of the adhesion mechanisms (mechanical or bio-chemical or both) is unknown for many major groups including polyplacophoran mollusks and entoprocts. In this master’s thesis the attachment systems of the polyplacophoran mollusk Acanthochitona fascicularis and the entoproct Loxosomella spec. will be studied. The chiton attaches with its foot to substrate temporarily, while the entoproct attaches permanently with its stolon (foot) to specific substrates. For Loxosomella it is known that adhesion gland cells are present in the foot, however no further investigation of adhesive structures has been documented for either species.

Using in situ hybridization (ISH) on candidate genes that are expressed in adhesive systems of other metazoans combined with lectin assays, putative adhesive organs of both organisms will be characterized. These experiments will enhance our understanding on the regions involved in adhesion and the extent to which gene expression is conserved in this context.