SENSO

Throughout their life cycle, animals undergo major developmental transitions that must occur at the appropriate time and under suitable environmental conditions. Environmental information such as temperature, light or chemical cues is perceived by sensory systems and integrated with internal physiological signals to coordinate these transitions through neuroendocrine pathways.

In coral reef fishes, one of the most critical transitions occurs at the end of the pelagic larval phase. Larvae must locate a suitable habitat, recruit to the reef and undergo a profound metamorphosis into juveniles. This transition involves major morphological, physiological and behavioural changes and is essential for juvenile survival and the maintenance of adult fish populations.

Using the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris as a model, SENSO investigates how environmental information is perceived and translated by the neuroendocrine system into the hormonal signals that trigger metamorphosis.