Evolution of cephalic sensory organs in tardigrades

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K15857
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 45030:Biodiversity and systematics-related
• Research Institution: Yamaguchi University (2022); Tohoku University (2020-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Fujimoto Shinta 山口大学, 大学院創成科学研究科, 助教 (40779758)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 超微細構造 / 電子顕微鏡 / 緩歩動物門

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study aimed to revealed the evolution of the cephalic sensory organs in the poorly studied tardigrade taxa, marine heterotardigrades. The cephalic sensory organs of marine heterotardigrades were observed using electron microscopes and new insights were obtained. Through the observation of multiple taxa, some common patterns among heterotardigrades and taxon-specific characteristics were recognised.

Free Research Field

系統分類学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

海産クマムシ類における頭部感覚器官の進化の全貌解明とはならなかったものの、解像度の高い、頭部感覚器官内部の超微細構造に関する新たな知見が得られたことで、異クマムシ綱海産分類群の感覚受容に関する研究の形態学的情報を充実させることができ、また汎節足動物における脳と感覚器官の進化を考えるための基礎的な情報を増やすことができた。