Animal-chlorophyte photosymbioses: evolutionary origins and ecological diversity
Overview
Paper Summary
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.
Explain Like I'm Five
Some animals have green algae living inside them, which helps them live in different environments. Scientists are studying how these partnerships work by looking at their genes.
Possible Conflicts of Interest
None identified.
Rating Explanation
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.
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