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Neuronal identities and cell types in tardigrades

Classify and establish neuronal identities and cell types in Hypsibius exemplaris—including sensory neurons, motor neurons, and interneurons—across the brain, ventral nerve cord, and segmental ganglia using molecular markers, morphology, and electrophysiological signatures.

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Background

Beyond total neuron numbers, functional classification into cell types is a prerequisite for understanding circuit operation. The paper highlights the lack of established neuronal identities or types in tardigrades.

Identifying neuronal classes in Hypsibius exemplaris would enable targeted genetic labeling, optogenetic manipulations, and mapping of sensory-motor transformations in modular ganglia.

References

The anatomical and functional mapping of the tardigrade nervous system is in its infancy: the exact number of neurons in any tardigrade life-history stage remains unknown, neuronal identities and types have not been established, their connectome has yet to be reconstructed, and the mechanisms underlying the animal's fascinating neurobiology, such as neuronal resilience and repair, remain unexplored (see Table 1 for current neuroanatomical knowledge).

— The tardigrade as an emerging model organism for systems neuroscience (2501.06606 - Lyons et al., 11 Jan 2025) in Introduction