Transcriptomes from larval and early postlarval stages of the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica

This dataset comprises CEL-seq2 data generated from dissociated cells of biologically replicated individual larvae and postlarvae of the demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica. A total of 36 CEL-seq2 libraries were generated, capturing transcriptomic shifts across 6 time points, from precompetent larvae to 11 hours post-settlement. These data highlight the changes in gene expression during the development of larval competence, settlement, and early metamorphosis. This dataset offers insights into the molecular mechanisms governing major life cycle transitions in a basal metazoan, providing a valuable resource for researchers focusing on developmental biology, gene regulation, and evolutionary developmental processes.