title: An organismal perspective on C. intestinalis development, origins and diversification.
abstract: The ascidian Ciona intestinalis, commonly known as a 'sea squirt', has become an important model for embryological studies, offering a simple blueprint for chordate development. As a model organism, it offers the following: a small, compact genome; a free swimming larva with only about 2600 cells; and an embryogenesis that unfolds according to a predictable program of cell division. Moreover, recent phylogenies reveal that C. intestinalis occupies a privileged branch in the tree of life: it is our nearest invertebrate relative. Here, we provide an organismal perspective of C. intestinalis, highlighting aspects of its life history and habitat-from its brief journey as a larva to its radical metamorphosis into adult form-and relate these features to its utility as a laboratory model.
authors: Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States.
authors: Matthew J
authors: MJ
authors: Kourakis
authors: Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, United States.
authors: William C
authors: WC
authors: Smith
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002938:Ciona intestinalis / Q000196:embryology* / Q000235:genetics / Q000254:growth & development*; D017753:Ecosystem; D004625:Embryo, Nonmammalian / Q000196:embryology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016678:Genome / Q000235:genetics; D007814:Larva / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D008675:Metamorphosis, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny
keywords: C. intestinalis; chordate; developmental biology; evolutionary biology; genomics; stem cells; the natural history of model organisms; tunicate