Final answer:
Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) is the model organism specifically chosen for the study of invertebrate development, praised for its simplicity, transparency, and the constancy of its development, making it ideal for various types of genetic and developmental research.
Step-by-step explanation:
The species chosen as a model organism for the study of invertebrate development is Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans). This nematode has been a focal point in biological research since Dr. Sydney Brenner started using it in 1963. C. elegans has been instrumental in studying various physiological and developmental processes due to its simple structure, transparent body, and ease of maintenance in laboratory conditions. The organism consists of exactly 959 cells in adult hermaphrodites and has a short life cycle, making it ideal for observing the developmental consequences of genetic changes rapidly. Furthermore, it has constant cell lineage patterns, which facilitates research into cellular phenomena such as cell division, differentiation, and cell-to-cell communication.
Other species listed, such as Drosophila melanogaster, Arabidopsis thaliana, and Mus musculus, are also model organisms but for different research purposes. Drosophila is specifically celebrated for its contributions to the study of genetics and organogenesis. Nonetheless, for invertebrate development, C. elegans is the model organism of choice due to its unique advantages.