Radiation of Sacoglossa (Opisthobranchia, Gastropoda) as a function of long term retention of chloroplasts, and usage of their metabolites

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Heike Wägele
• Subject Area: Evolution and Systematics of Plants and Fungi
• Term: from 2002 to 2009
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 5362386

Symbiotic relationship between members of the Nudibranchia and the algal taxon Symbiodinium are known, although efficiency and reliability of the symbiosis is hardly investigated for the Nudibranchia. Ability to house and use zooxanthellae seems to have evolved separately different times within the Nudibranchia, since this phenomenon occurs in other familie of the clade Cladobranchia. Nevertheless it has to be emphasized, that many records of the symbiotic relationship have been documented by histological means, and photosynthetic activity has been measured in only very few species. Within the genus Phyllodesmium serveral species are well known to house zooxanthellae, and for one species, in situ measurements of the photosynthetic activity is documented. In this study we want to investigate the role of symbiotic algae in the possible radiation of this aeolid genus, Phyllodesmium, which is known from the tropic waters by about 18 species and which is described to have evolved special morphological adaptations to the housing of zooxanthellae.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1127: Radiations - Origins of Biological Diversity