Annelid models I: Capitella teleta

Abstract

Investigating development in a wide variety of organisms allows researchers to take advantage of both diverse and conserved evolutionary solutions that animals have made to solve a range of biological problems. Next generation sequencing and functional genomic techniques can now be applied to many animals, providing opportunities to study organisms whose biology offers advantages for tracking particular questions. Capitella teleta is an segmented annelid worm whose phylogenetic position, stable genome, environmental resiliency, early development and regeneration capabilities position it to provide insights to its evolutionary success. This review discusses attributes of C. teleta that make it amenable for a variety of development and regeneration studies.