Worm Facility

The worm facility at the Michael Sars Centre houses two Annelida species comprising 4 boxes of Malacoceros fuliginosus at which are kept at 21°C tanks, and 7 bowls of Dimorphilus gyrociliatus kept in an incubator at 18°C. The facility is also equipped to potentially house new marine invertebrate models. The worm facility supplies mature males, females, embryos and juveniles at various developmental stages for research purposes. 

Research interests

The Lynagh group is primarily interested in the biophysical properties and evolution of ligand-gated ion channels or “neurotransmitter receptors” from various animals, especially bilaterians. We are interested in e.g. annelids, molluscs, and echinoderms to clone genes of interest, to measure gene expression patterns in the animals, and to potentially knock down genes of interest and measure behavioral changes. 

The culture

General information about the room

• GMO Certified 
• Space for maintaining multiple seawater and freshwater tanks with different species.  
• Enough lab bench space for sample processing, microscopic examination, and data collection.  
• Drains on the floors and the cleaning sinks lead to ‘pyramid’, treated and chlorinated 
• Continuous supply of sea water at various temperatures  
• The room has been renovated in 2022 
• Automated day/night light cycle (Day-08:00 – 20:00/Night-20:00-08:00) 
• The room temperature is generally 21°C.   

Air condition setup:  

In one corner of the room, a carefully maintained, air-conditioned space is dedicated for young larvae, maintaining optimal conditions for their development. The AC unit is surrounded by a curtain, which helps to regulate airflow and ensure even temperature distribution. This setup is adjusted as per the species requirement.  

Seawater and treatment: 

• The primary water supply is natural seawater from the building (HiB sea water), collected from a depth of 100 meters. This seawater is UV treated and has a salinity ranging from 20-34 ppt. Two temperature inlets for seawater are available: 8-10°C and 20°C running in different pipes. Flow rate can be adjusted.  
• For Malacoceros culture, the HiB seawater is filtered using 20 µm and 1 µm filters before being directed into the Malacoceros housing tanks. 
• For the Dimorphilus culture, the seawater is filtered through 20 µm, 5 µm, and 1 µm filters, then diluted with osmosis water to achieve a salinity of 28 ppt. 

Production capacity

Hundreds of Malacoceros eggs can be collected whenever required. Females release eggs upon inducing. The males release sperm into the surrounding water. The eggs are fertilized externally in the water. The life cycle has several stages from egg to larva, then juvenile and adult which takes about 4 months. The culture protocol can be obtained upon request.

Culture maintenance

• The Malacoceros culture is housed in two 100 L plastic tubs, each containing four 2-liter boxes. Each box is filled with approximately 2 cm of aquarium sand, and around 10 adult Malacoceros are kept in each box. 

• The Dimorphilus culture is maintained in 250 ml glass bowls, which are kept in an incubator set at 21°C. The culture is sustained in filtered seawater with a pH of 7.4 and a salinity of 28 ppt. 

Feeding

• Malacoceros are fed ground fish pellets, prepared by crushing the pellets with a pestle and mortar.  
• Dimorphilus are fed with commercial fish flakes. 

Field collection 

• We have conducted a few collections for Acoela and plan to go on field trips, such as to Flyplass and Blomsterdalen in Bergen, to sample particular Isodiametra species.  
• The species Malacoceros culture was originally obtained from a former research group (Hausen group) at the center, who transferred the stock to our facility upon conclusion of their project. 
• The Dimorphilus animal culture was provided by a former research group (Hejnol group) at the Sars Centre.