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Photosynthesis from stolen chloroplasts can support sea slug reproductive fitness
Publication . Cartaxana, Paulo; Rey, Felisa; Lekieffre, Charlotte; Lopes, Diana; Hubas, Cédric; Spangenberg, Jorge E.; Escrig, Stéphane; Jesus, Bruno; Calado, Gonçalo; Domingues, Rosário; Kühl, Michael; Calado, Ricardo; Meibom, Anders; Cruz, Sónia; MARE - Centro de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente; Royal Society
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 13 C and 15 N 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.
Supply and larval traits at metamorphosis of a coastal marine invertebrate with a bi-phasic life cycle under contrasting oceanographic conditions
Publication . Rey, Felisa; Neto, Gina M. Silva; Bueno-Pardo, Juan; Bispo, Regina; Calado, Ricardo; DM - Departamento de Matemática; Elsevier Science B.V., Amsterdam.
Patterns of larval supply and larval condition at metamorphosis play key roles in the structure and dynamics of marine populations. Hence, biological and environmental conditions driving the dispersion of larval individuals, shape early life phenotypes, and influence their survival and post-settlement success. We performed a study over two consecutive years at Ria de Aveiro (Portugal), a coastal lagoon influenced by upwelling regimens in the North-eastern Atlantic. This study assessed the effect of contrasting oceanographic conditions on larval supply and larval traits at metamorphosis of the green crab Carcinus maenas. Crab megalopae were daily sampled and monitored in the laboratory until metamorphosis. Environmental conditions experienced by larvae in the field were estimated considering their expected planktonic larval duration, which was calculated for each individual using the size at metamorphosis and the average water temperature during larval development. Presence/absence, megalopa supply, and larval size were posteriorly modelled using generalized linear mixed models. The analysis of the two consecutive years showed haphazard patterns, revealing that both larval supply and phenotypic traits changed during and between supply seasons. The lunar cycle and environmental conditions were identified as drivers of the presence and supply of megalopae. Settlement events with weak upwelling index were influenced by sea temperature, while intense and constant upwelling events conditioned megalopa supply and performance at metamorphosis. In 2013, megalopae invaded the coastal lagoon in a more advanced physiological stage than in 2012 and/or under better nutritional conditions, probably due to stronger and more constant upwelling events during their pelagic larval life. Our results show that oceanographic processes stimulating upwelling and secondary production are sources of phenotypic variation at settlement, influencing both early benthic performance and adult population dynamics of marine organisms with bi-phasic life cycles.
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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
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CEEC IND 2017
Número da atribuição
CEECIND/00580/2017/CP1459/CT0005