Kleptoplasty: The sea slug that got away with stolen chloroplasts

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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.

2021Artigo científico

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Entidade financiadora

European Commission

Programa de financiamento

H2020

Número da atribuição

949880