Maria Eleonora Rossi

TL;DR: A robust pipeline for the recovery of mitochondrial genomes from these RNA‐sequencing resources is described, simplifying the process of mitochondrial genome assembly for even the most recalcitrant clades and adding these data to the scientific record for a range of future uses.

TL;DR: The results strongly support a sister relationship between Keratosa and (Verongimorpha+Heteroscleromorpha), contradicting previous studies using nuclear markers, and show for the first time support for a grouping of Suberitida+(Clionaida+(Tethyida+Poecilosclerida).

TL;DR: The authors used simulated genomic-scale datasets and showed that recoding amino acid data improves accuracy when the model does not account for the compositional heterogeneity of the amino acid alignment, and applied their findings to three datasets addressing the root of the animal tree, where the debate centers on whether sponges or comb jellies (Ctenophora) represent the sister of all other animals.

TL;DR: It is proposed that the worm might use bioluminescence as a lure for prey (increasing the food available for both the sponge and the polynoid) and thus fuelling a mutualistic relationship.

TL;DR: This pipeline will allow the recovery of mitochondrial data from a variety of previously-sequenced samples, and add an additional angle of enquiry to future RNA-seq efforts, simplifying the process of mitochondrial genome assembly for even the most recalcitrant clades and adding this data to the scientific record for a range of future uses.