We are studying the evolutionary history of mushroom corals (Fungiidae) and some of their associated symbionts, gastropods belonging to Epitoniidae (wentletraps) & Leptoconchus spp. ( See: http://home.hetnet.nl/%7Eascidians/oio/mainframe.htm).
  Their DNA will be sequenced, using specimens from various places throughout the Indo-Pacific. We would appreciate help from people who have access to living material and who are willing to send us samples in ethanol 96%. The molluscs can be stored completely, whereas from the corals we only need fragments or soft tissue samples. More information on the animals and the sampling is given in the web site.
   Although our focus lies within the Indo-Pacific we are interested in wentletraps conserved on  alcohol 96% from anywhere in the world. With the help of DNA-sequencing we hope to be able to shed some more light on the evolutionary history (phylogeny) of this speciose and widespread group of snails.
   In case you can help, please let us know what you need from us (vials, ethanol, etc.).

Kind regards,

Adriaan

Adriaan Gittenberger
PhD-student "Gastropod parasites and their coral hosts"
http://home.hetnet.nl/%7Eascidians/oio/mainframe.htm
National Museum of Natural History Naturalis
P.O. Box 9517
2300 RA  Leiden
The Netherlands
Tel. +31.71.5687631
Fax +31.71.5687666
E-mail: [log in to unmask]
www.ascidians.com

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