Larval adaptations​

We view the life phases of benthic organisms as integrated within the life cycle. A part of our research focus on larval adaptations to the pelagic habitat and on physiological and developmental responses to variations in environmental conditions.

We study these adaptations in the context of the whole life cycle, evaluating how the phenotype or the environmental conditions experienced at a particular life phase affects the performance and survival of subsequent stages  (see maternal and latent effects).

Larvae of coastal benthic invertebrates develop in a pelagic habitat characterised by variations in  food availability, salinity and temperature. We study larval adaptations and responses to multiple stressors.  

​We use different model species: crabs, shrimps, lobsters and barnacles