Research Information System
15th International Symposium on Health Informatics and Bioinformatics, Mersin, Turkey, 20 - 21 October 2022, pp.1, (Summary Text)
Various sampling and culture studies are carried out for different benthic organisms. Developing and
applying methodologies suitable for the targeted group provides a basis for enabling extensive and more
detailed studies. Botryllid ascidians, which our study group focused on, are a critical benthic group that
should be studied considering their evolutionary and ecological characteristics. They are the closest
relatives of higher vertebrates (Craniata), which are capable of whole-body regeneration, and therefore,
they can be used in phylogenetic/phylogenomic studies involving ancestral lineage studies of vertebrates;
as well as being used as organisms in the study of complex processes, including the evolution of the
immune system, developmental biology, and whole-body regeneration. In addition, these filter-feeding
organisms in seawater are in a critical position for protecting and sustaining marine ecosystems. They are
used as potential water quality indicators because they are sensitive to anthropogenic pollution and
eutrophication in their natural spread areas. Moreover, the organism and its symbionts contain bioactive
molecules that can be used in biotechnology, pharmacology and medicine. However, studies on botryllid
ascidians on our coasts are limited. This study aims to explain the optimised methods for field sampling
and aquaculture of botryllid ascidian species. Depending on the following research questions, both live
and fixed sampling methods will be described, and the factors to be considered in the cultivation will be
detailed with photographs. Designated and explained methods contributed to future studies on botryllid
ascidians by being the guidance; hence, it can help to increase the studies focusing on botryllid ascidians
and their unique features.