Induction of Gametogenesis in the Cnidarian Endosymbiosis Model Aiptasia sp.
Citations Over TimeTop 10% of 2015 papers
Abstract
Endosymbiosis is widespread among cnidarians and is of high ecological relevance. The tropical sea anemone Aiptasia sp. is a laboratory model system for endosymbiosis between reef-building corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium. Here we identify the key environmental cues to induce reproducible spawning in Aiptasia under controlled laboratory conditions. We find that simulating a lunar cycle with blue-wavelength light is necessary to promote abundant gamete production and synchronous release in well-fed animals. Sexual reproduction rates are genetically determined and differ among clonal lines under similar conditions. We also find the inverse difference in rates of asexual reproduction. This study provides the requisite basis for further development of the Aiptasia model system, allowing analysis of basic cellular and molecular mechanisms in the laboratory as well as investigations of broad questions of ecological and evolutionary relevance.
Related Papers
- → Prolonged exposure to elevated CO2 promotes growth of the algal symbiont Symbiodinium muscatinei in the intertidal sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima(2012)35 cited
- → New home for tiny symbionts: Dinophytes determined as Zooxanthella are Peridiniales and distantly related to Symbiodinium(2013)19 cited
- → Transcriptome sequencing and characterization of Symbiodinium muscatinei and Elliptochloris marina, symbionts found within the aggregating sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima(2017)8 cited
- → Generation of clade- and symbiont-specific antibodies to characterize marker molecules during Cnidaria-Symbiodinium endosymbiosis(2017)4 cited
- → 6 Does temperature restrict the latitudinal distribution of symbiotic zooxanthellae within the sea anemone anthopleura elegantissima? Experiments with symbiodinium californium in culture(2003)1 cited