Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness.
Proc Biol Sci
; 288(1959): 20211779, 2021 09 29.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-34583582
ABSTRACT
Some sea slugs are able to steal functional chloroplasts (kleptoplasts) from their algal food sources, but the role and relevance of photosynthesis to the animal host remain controversial. While some researchers claim that kleptoplasts are slowly digestible 'snacks', others advocate that they enhance the overall fitness of sea slugs much more profoundly. Our analysis shows light-dependent incorporation of 13C and 15N in the albumen gland and gonadal follicles of the sea slug Elysia timida, representing translocation of photosynthates to kleptoplast-free reproductive organs. Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids with reported roles in reproduction were produced in the sea slug cells using labelled precursors translocated from the kleptoplasts. Finally, we report reduced fecundity of E. timida by limiting kleptoplast photosynthesis. The present study indicates that photosynthesis enhances the reproductive fitness of kleptoplast-bearing sea slugs, confirming the biological relevance of this remarkable association between a metazoan and an algal-derived organelle.
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Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Gastrópodes
/
Aptidão Genética
Limite:
Animals
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2021
Tipo de documento:
Article