Description: The Institute for Research in Environment and Marine Science (IMEDMAR-UCV) of the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV) works on the NEUPINNA project funded by the Biodiversity Foundation F.S.P., on a competitive basis, for the conservation of marine biodiversity in Spain 2020 with an amount of 93.543,84 €. This new project opens new lines of work to try to achieve the reproduction in captivity of these molluscs and thus contribute to the salvation of the Pinna nobilis species. With this objective, NEUPINNA is based on the need for a better understanding of the reproductive mechanisms of the species. Thus, the use of next-generation sequencing techniques followed by transcriptome analysis of gonadal ganglia and tissues will allow the identification of specific neuropeptides, previously reported as key factors for gonadal maturation and reproduction in molluscs. Since P. nobilis is an endemic and protected species, in this project the Pinna rudis species will be used as a model species due to its abundance, local availability and close genealogical relationship with P. nobilis. The use of reproductive neuropeptides to induce gonadal maturation and laying of P. nobilis and P. rudis in captive conditions will be key to determining the future of the Pinna nobilis species and has shown very promising results in other mollusc species.

Developed between 01/07/2021 and 31/06/2023

Amount: 140.879,84 €. Competitive grants from the Fundación Biodiversidad F.S.P. for the conservation of marine biodiversity in Spain 2020.