Meiofauna diversity – investigations on Halammohydra (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Andreas Schmidt-Rhaesa
• Subject Area: Systematics and Morphology (Zoology)
• Term: from 2019 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 419447657

Species composition and distribution patterns of many organisms of the marine meiofauna are still largely unknown. Taking the comparably species-poor genus Halammohydra, which is distributed within the North Sea with several species, as example, it shall be investigated whether the described species are valid, whether there is morphological plasticity and how species are distributed. Investigations will be performed at four European marine stations (Helgoland, Bergen, Kristineberg, Roscoff). The sampled specimens are documented morphologically and the majority of them are characterised genetically (CO1, ITS2, 18S) . A smaller proportion of the specimens is investigated morphologically in more detail (cnidome, ultrastructure, immunohistochemistry of the nervous system). We expect to receive a clear picture of the species composition and distribution capacity of this charismatic member of the intersitital system.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants