The chloroplast-animal association in four Iberian Sacoglossan Opisthobranchs: Elysia timida, Elysia translucens, Thuridilla hopei and Bosellia mimetica
Marín, A.; Ros, J.D. (1989). The chloroplast-animal association in four Iberian Sacoglossan Opisthobranchs: Elysia timida, Elysia translucens, Thuridilla hopei and Bosellia mimetica, in: Ros, J.D. (Ed.) Topics in Marine Biology: Proceedings of the 22nd European Marine Biology Symposium, Barcelona, Spain, August 1987. Scientia Marina (Barcelona), 53(2-3): pp. 429-440 In: Ros, J.D. (Ed.) (1989). Topics in marine biology: Proceedings of the 22nd European Marine Biology Symposium, Barcelona, Spain, August 1987. European Marine Biology Symposia, 22. Scientia Marina (Barcelona), 53(2-3). 145-754 pp., more In: European Marine Biology Symposia., more |  |
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| Abstract | The Opisthobranch molluscs Elysia timida, E. translucens, Thuridilla hopei and Bosellia mimetica feed suctorially on the algae Acetabularia acetabulum, Udotea petiolata, Cladophora vagabunda and Halimeda tuna, respectively. The animals retain functional chloroplasts from their food. Symbiotic retention of functional algal chloroplasts in these Sacoglossan species is proved by electron micrography of the digestive gland, and the activity of the organelles by means of incubations with NaH14CO3 in the light and in the dark for varying periods of time. In Elysia timida, fixation rates were measured at different light intensities and between 10-35°C. Carbon incorporation after a 40 days starvation period is registered. About 7-8% of the net 14-C photosynthetically fixed by functional chloroplasts was secreted in mucus by the molluscs. After 12 days, juveniles retained chloroplasts in the digestive gland. Chloroplasts associated with Thuridilla hopei lose their functional ability after 5 days. The results are discussed in the general frame of the meaning of this symbiosis between algae and molluscs. |
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