Allorecognition in the Colonial Marine HydroidHydractinia(Cnidaria/Hydrozoa)

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Abstract
The colonial marine hydroid Hydractinia has a sophisticated allorecognition and effector system. Unlike many unitary organisms (i.e., vertebrates) which lack a current context for allorecognition, there is the potential for strong selection pressure for allorecognition and response in Hydractinia. Hydractinia colonies use allorecognition in intraspecific competition for two dimensional space; space is an absolute requirement for Hydractinia to successfully complete its life-cycle and thus interactions for space are of central importance for Hydractinia. Studies of the mechanisms, molecules, and genes involved in allorecognition in Hydractinia may contribute to our understanding of the evolution of allorecognition in the metazoa.

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