Expression of vasa, piwi, and nanos during gametogenesis in Typosyllis antoni (Annelida, Syllidae)

Although model species have proven to be crucial for developmental biology, the evo-devo approach requires a broader picture across phylogeny. Herein, we try to expand the range of studied annelids by presenting a transcriptome of Typosyllis antoni as a tool for the study of developmental and evolutionary processes in Syllidae. Moreover, we provide homologs of the stem-cell markers vasa, piwi, and nanos, and investigate their expression patterns in gamete-producing individuals for the first time in this group. We found no expression in females, while there is a distinct expression pattern in males. Based on this data, we argue that spermatogenesis starts in the gonads and finishes in the coelomic cavity, and it occurs simultaneously in a large number of segments. Surprisingly, no expression of the stem-cell markers was found in the segment addition zone of these reproducing animals (stolonizing). Preliminary explanations like a lack of growth during stolonization, or the absence of a common genetic program between germ and somatic stem cells, are discussed. Finally, no reservoir of primordial cells has been detected, suggesting a possible epigenic origin of the Primordial Germ Cells of this species, though this hypothesis needs to be further investigated.