Fast Forward Platynereis dumerilii: a new and more accessible culturing method

The importance of Platynereis dumerilii as an animal model stems from its evolutionary significance and the ease of its culture, but its lengthy life cycle and semelparous reproduction have hindered widespread adoption. This study introduces a novel culturing protocol for selecting the Fast Forward (FF) P. dumerilii strain, reducing the median reproductive age from 25-35 weeks to 13-14 weeks through worm density control, precise food management, and monitoring of worm maturation, enhancing accessibility without the need for air bubbling, artificial moonlight cycles, or frequent water changes.