The Cnidarian Tree of Life Project

Phylum Cnidaria comprises more than 11,000 described species that include prominent members of the marine fauna such as corals, sea anemones, and jellyfish as well as a few freshwater species. The objective of the Cnidaria AtoL (CnidTol) is to enhance our understanding of the evolutionary history of the Phylum Cnidaria, one of the earliest branches in the animal tree of life.

Morphologically simple, with relatively few cells types, cnidarians have attained remarkable diversity through modifications largely in colonial organization and life histories. The dichotomy between simple cellular and tissue organization and diverse form and life history has contributed to long-standing controversies concerning the origin and diversification of cnidarians. Reconstructing the cnidarian evolutionary tree is important for understanding the patterns and processes that accompanied the early diversification of animals.

We aim to collect a comprehensive sampling on cnidarian species, identify them, deposit them in museums, and generate molecular data. The molecular data will be used to reconstruct hypotheses of cnidarian relationships.

One aspect of morphology that will be explored in detail is the structure of nematocysts, the stinging capsules characteristic of the phylum. In addition, new laboratory cultures and culture protocols will be developed for diverse species of Cnidaria to facilitate the development of new model organisms for future in-depth developmental, life-history and morphological studies.

Undergraduate, graduate, and post-doctoral training, and outreach to K-12 educators will be prominent components of this project.