Animal-chlorophyte photosymbioses: evolutionary origins and ecological diversity

This review examines how some animals, like sponges, hydra, and certain marine worms, form symbiotic relationships with green algae, allowing them to live in unique environments. These "plant-animal" partnerships involve swapping nutrients, with the algae providing sugars from photosynthesis, and the animals supplying nitrogen. The review highlights how these symbioses have evolved independently multiple times, leading to a fascinating array of adaptations.

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This review provides a valuable overview of animal-chlorophyte symbiosis, highlighting the diversity, ecological significance, and molecular mechanisms underlying these interactions. The authors synthesize information from diverse animal groups (Porifera, Cnidaria, and Xenacoelomorpha) and contrast these partnerships with the more well-studied dinoflagellate-based systems. The review also discusses the evolution of these symbioses, the influence of environmental factors, the molecular basis of nutrient exchange, and the role of genomic resources. While there are still unanswered questions, the insights presented provide a foundation for future research in this area.