The prize for the winner will be DNA sequencing, which can provide us with important information about the species.
A group of researchers has launched a particular competition, the "Mollusk of the year 2022". This is a competition they will participate in five candidates, five species of molluscs whose evolution is still a mystery.
Il vincitore it will obtain the sequencing of its DNA, a significant reward for a group of animals that remains largely unexplored from the genetic point of view: only a few dozen genomes are in fact completely sequenced, on over 120.000 known species of invertebrates.
Among the candidates are the crystal slipper (Cymbulia peronii) and the painted snail (Polymita picta). The first is a small mollusk with a gelatinous shell that spends its entire life adrift in the open sea, particularly sensitive to the acidification of the oceans; studying it could help us understand the strategies implemented by the mollusk to adapt to the rapid changes of the waters. The second is an endangered species described as the most beautiful snail in the world, due to its colored spiral bands. Studying the painted snail would help to understand both the evolutionary origin of the change in the color of the shell and the sexual behavior, known for the launch of what is called "love dart".
Two other competitors are Telescopium telescopium, whose sequencing could reveal the secret of his resistance to pollution and to environmental changes and the Fustiaria rubescens, from whose DNA we could discover the processes that lead to the spiraling of the shells.
The last competitor is the common teredine (Teredo navalis) mollusc able to grow very quickly by eating waste. It is a species that - unfortunately for her - could be considered the food of the future due to its nutritional value, as well as a source of molecules to design new drugs.
Who would like vote one of the five mollusks will have time until March 15 to express their preference on the Loewe Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics website.
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Fonte di riferimento: Loewe Center for Translational Biodiversity Genomics
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