Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness
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Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness. / Cartaxana, Paulo; Rey, Felisa; LeKieffre, Charlotte; Lopes, Diana; Hubas, Cédric; Spangenberg, Jorge E.; Escrig, Stéphane; Jesus, Bruno; Calado, Goncalo; Domingues, Rosario; Kühl, Michael; Calado, Ricardo; Meibom, Anders; Cruz, Sónia.
In: Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, Vol. 288, No. 1959, 20211779, 2021.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness
AU - Cartaxana, Paulo
AU - Rey, Felisa
AU - LeKieffre, Charlotte
AU - Lopes, Diana
AU - Hubas, Cédric
AU - Spangenberg, Jorge E.
AU - Escrig, Stéphane
AU - Jesus, Bruno
AU - Calado, Goncalo
AU - Domingues, Rosario
AU - Kühl, Michael
AU - Calado, Ricardo
AU - Meibom, Anders
AU - Cruz, Sónia
PY - 2021
Y1 - 2021
N2 - 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 C-13 and N-15 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.
AB - 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 C-13 and N-15 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.
KW - kleptoplast
KW - fatty acid
KW - reproduction
KW - Sacoglossa
KW - FATTY-ACIDS
KW - ELYSIA-VIRIDIS
KW - OPISTHOBRANCHIA
KW - KLEPTOPLASTS
KW - ASSOCIATION
KW - ACQUISITION
KW - SURVIVAL
KW - GONAD
U2 - 10.1098/rspb.2021.1779
DO - 10.1098/rspb.2021.1779
M3 - Journal article
C2 - 34583582
VL - 288
JO - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
JF - Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences
SN - 0962-8452
IS - 1959
M1 - 20211779
ER -
ID: 281284441