LIN SB RAS opens the winter expedition season

Within the state assignment “Study of transformations in the state of water bodies and watercourses of Eastern Siberia in seasonal and long-term aspects in the context of changes in climate, geological environment and anthropogenic loads” (led by A.P. Fedotov), an expedition to the Bolshiye Koty settlement (09-11.02.2024) was carried out to study the functioning of Baikal sponges during the period of active gamogenesis.

During the expedition, sponges of Lubomirskia baikalensis were collected by diving, and the larvae were separated from the sponges in stationary conditions. Further transcriptome, microbiome, and virome analyses of L. baikalensis larvae and sponge samples are planned.

Besides, the Baikal sponge samples were taken for histological study of the specific features of their gametogenesis and reproduction. These studies are conducted to obtain new information and test hypotheses about possible causes and forms of disease in Baikal sponges.