AUTHOR=Ohdera Aki H. , Abrams Michael J. , Ames Cheryl L. , Baker David M. , Suescún-Bolívar Luis P. , Collins Allen G. , Freeman Christopher J. , Gamero-Mora Edgar , Goulet Tamar L. , Hofmann Dietrich K. , Jaimes-Becerra Adrian , Long Paul F. , Marques Antonio C. , Miller Laura A. , Mydlarz Laura D. , Morandini Andre C. , Newkirk Casandra R. , Putri Sastia P. , Samson Julia E. , Stampar Sérgio N. , Steinworth Bailey , Templeman Michelle , Thomé Patricia E. , Vlok Marli , Woodley Cheryl M. , Wong Jane C.Y. , Martindale Mark Q. , Fitt William K. , Medina Mónica 

TITLE=Upside-Down but Headed in the Right Direction: Review of the Highly Versatile Cassiopea xamachana System

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution

VOLUME=6

YEAR=2018

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/ecology-and-evolution/articles/10.3389/fevo.2018.00035

DOI=10.3389/fevo.2018.00035

ISSN=2296-701X

ABSTRACT=<p>The upside-down jellyfish <italic>Cassiopea xamachana</italic> (Scyphozoa: Rhizostomeae) has been predominantly studied to understand its interaction with the endosymbiotic dinoflagellate algae <italic>Symbiodinium</italic>. As an easily culturable and tractable cnidarian model, it is an attractive alternative to stony corals to understanding the mechanisms driving establishment and maintenance of symbiosis. <italic>Cassiopea</italic> is also unique in requiring the symbiont in order to complete its transition to the adult stage, thereby providing an excellent model to understand symbiosis-driven development and evolution. Recently, the <italic>Cassiopea</italic> research system has gained interest beyond symbiosis in fields related to embryology, climate ecology, behavior, and more. With these developments, resources including genomes, transcriptomes, and laboratory protocols are steadily increasing. This review provides an overview of the broad range of interdisciplinary research that has utilized the <italic>Cassiopea</italic> model and highlights the advantages of using the model for future research.</p>