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Analysis of institutional authors

Passos Ribeiro, RannyeleAuthorPonz-Segrelles GAuthorAguado MtAuthor

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April 30, 2021
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Integrative anatomical study of the branched annelid Ramisyllis multicaudata (Annelida, Syllidae)

Publicated to:JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY. 282 (6): 900-916 - 2021-06-01 282(6), DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21356

Authors: Ponz-Segrelles G; Glasby CJ; Helm C; Beckers P; Hammel JU; Ribeiro RP; Aguado MT

Affiliations

Georg-August-Universitat Gottingen - Author
Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht - Zentrum für Material- und Küstenforschung GmbH - Author
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory - Author
Universidad Autónoma de Madrid - Author
Universitat Bonn - Author
‎ Georg August Univ Gottingen, Anim Evolut & Biodivers, D-37073 Gottingen, Germany - Author
‎ Helmholtz Zentrum Geesthacht, Inst Mat Res, Geesthacht, Germany - Author
‎ Museum & Art Gallery Northern Terr, Nat Sci Dept, Darwin, NT, Australia - Author
‎ Univ Autonoma Madrid, Fac Ciencias, Dept Biol, Madrid 28049, Spain - Author
‎ Univ Bonn, Inst Evolutionary Biol & Ecol, Bonn, Germany - Author
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Abstract

The sponge-dwelling Syllidae Ramisyllis multicaudata and Syllis ramosa are the only annelid species for which a branched body with one head and multiple posterior ends is known. In these species, the head is located deep within the sponge, and the branches extend through the canal system of their host. The morphology of these creatures has captivated annelid biologists since they were first discovered in the late XIXth century, and their external characteristics have been well documented. However, how their branched bodies fit within their symbiotic host sponges and how branches translate into internal anatomy has not been documented before. These features are crucially relevant for understanding the body of these animals, and therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate these aspects. In order to assess these questions, live observation, as wells as histology, immunohistochemistry, micro-computed tomography, and transmission electron microscopy techniques were used on specimens of R. multicaudata. By using these techniques, we show that the complex body of R. multicaudata specimens extends greatly through the canal system of their host sponges. We demonstrate that iterative external bifurcation of the body is accompanied by the bifurcation of the longitudinal organ systems that are characteristic of annelids. Additionally, we also highlight that the bifurcation process leaves an unmistakable fingerprint in the form of newly-described “muscle bridges.” These structures theoretically allow one to distinguish original and derived branches at each bifurcation. Last, we characterize some of the internal anatomical features of the stolons (reproductive units) of R. multicaudata, particularly their nervous system. Here, we provide the first study of the internal anatomy of a branched annelid. This information is not only crucial to deepen our understanding of these animals and their biology, but it will also be key to inform future studies that try to explain how this morphology evolved.

Keywords

3d reconstructionbifurcationmorphologystolon3d reconstructionBifurcationMorphologyStolonStolon | tree syllid wormTree syllid worm

Quality index

Bibliometric impact. Analysis of the contribution and dissemination channel

The work has been published in the journal JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY due to its progression and the good impact it has achieved in recent years, according to the agency Scopus (SJR), it has become a reference in its field. In the year of publication of the work, 2021, it was in position , thus managing to position itself as a Q1 (Primer Cuartil), in the category Animal Science and Zoology.

From a relative perspective, and based on the normalized impact indicator calculated from World Citations from Scopus Elsevier, it yields a value for the Field-Weighted Citation Impact from the Scopus agency: 1.96, which indicates that, compared to works in the same discipline and in the same year of publication, it ranks as a work cited above average. (source consulted: ESI Nov 14, 2024)

This information is reinforced by other indicators of the same type, which, although dynamic over time and dependent on the set of average global citations at the time of their calculation, consistently position the work at some point among the top 50% most cited in its field:

  • Field Citation Ratio (FCR) from Dimensions: 2.28 (source consulted: Dimensions Jul 2025)

Specifically, and according to different indexing agencies, this work has accumulated citations as of 2025-07-16, the following number of citations:

  • WoS: 2
  • Scopus: 10

Impact and social visibility

From the perspective of influence or social adoption, and based on metrics associated with mentions and interactions provided by agencies specializing in calculating the so-called "Alternative or Social Metrics," we can highlight as of 2025-07-16:

  • The use, from an academic perspective evidenced by the Altmetric agency indicator referring to aggregations made by the personal bibliographic manager Mendeley, gives us a total of: 22.
  • The use of this contribution in bookmarks, code forks, additions to favorite lists for recurrent reading, as well as general views, indicates that someone is using the publication as a basis for their current work. This may be a notable indicator of future more formal and academic citations. This claim is supported by the result of the "Capture" indicator, which yields a total of: 23 (PlumX).

With a more dissemination-oriented intent and targeting more general audiences, we can observe other more global scores such as:

  • The Total Score from Altmetric: 326.2.
  • The number of mentions on the social network Facebook: 1 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions on the social network X (formerly Twitter): 78 (Altmetric).
  • The number of mentions in news outlets: 32 (Altmetric).

It is essential to present evidence supporting full alignment with institutional principles and guidelines on Open Science and the Conservation and Dissemination of Intellectual Heritage. A clear example of this is:

Leadership analysis of institutional authors

This work has been carried out with international collaboration, specifically with researchers from: Australia; Germany.

There is a significant leadership presence as some of the institution’s authors appear as the first or last signer, detailed as follows: First Author (PONZ SEGRELLES, GUILLERMO) and Last Author (AGUADO MOLINA, MARIA TERESA).