Molgula occulta, Molgula oculata and hybrids (M. occulta eggs x M. oculata sperm) Transcriptome or Gene expression study of tail loss

Chordates are characterized by by having post anal tail with a hallow dorsal notochord that extends throughout the tail. M. occulta is an invertebrate chordate that has loss these key feature. Through comparative transcriptomics of M. occulta, M. oculata and their hybrid we identify some of the factors that are involved in tail loss and development.