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Updated: Jun 12, 2026
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Laboratory and Field Culture of Larvae of The Slipper Limpet, Crepidula fornicata
Published on: January 5, 2024
The slipper snail, Crepidula: an emerging lophotrochozoan model system
Jonathan J Henry1, Rachel Collin, Kimberly J Perry
1Department of Cell & Developmental Biology, University of Illinois, 601 S. Goodwin Ave, Urbana, Illinois 61801, USA. j-henry4@illinois.edu
The Biological Bulletin
|June 24, 2010
Summary
Crepidula fornicata, a slipper snail, is emerging as a key model organism for studying lophotrochozoan development. Research highlights its well-defined embryonic development and genomic resources, aiding evolutionary studies.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Genomics
- Marine Biology
Background:
- The slipper snail genus Crepidula, particularly Crepidula fornicata, is increasingly utilized in developmental and genomic research.
- Previous studies have established its utility in understanding development and life history across Lophotrochozoa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent advancements and historical data on Crepidula fornicata as a model system.
- To encourage broader application of this system in developmental and evolutionary studies.
- To consolidate knowledge on Crepidula life histories, development, and experimental methodologies.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on Crepidula developmental and life history studies.
- Analysis of recent genomic and expressed sequence tag (EST) data.
- Examination of established experimental techniques, including loss- and gain-of-function assays.
Main Results:
- Development of a resolved embryonic cell lineage fate map.
- Documentation of mechanisms for axis determination and D quadrant specification.
- Preliminary gene expression patterns and successful application of genetic manipulation techniques.
Conclusions:
- Crepidula fornicata is a powerful and versatile model system for lophotrochozoan developmental biology.
- Genomic resources and established developmental data facilitate studies on the evolution of development in Mollusca and Lophotrochozoa.
- Further research incorporating comparative data and experimental methods is encouraged.
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