Metamorphosis of the purple sea urchin Heliocidaris crassispina: Single-cell transcriptomic datasets

Metamorphosis is an obligate developmental transition for most marine invertebrates with a biphasic life cycle, representing a critical ontogenetic phase. This process involves extensive morphological and physiological changes that incur high mortality, thereby regulating population dynamics. This study establishes a single-cell transcriptomic atlas of larval and juvenile Heliocidaris crassispina, providing a comprehensive analysis at single-cell resolution. eight distinct cell types were identified: digestive, epithelial, germ, immune, muscle, nerve, proliferating, and skeletogenic cells. These findings establish a foundation for future research into invertebrate metamorphosis at the single-cell level.