Effects of host starvation on the symbiotic dinoflagellates from the sea anemone Stichodactyla mertensii

Abstract

AbstractMany tropical cnidarians, including anemones and corals, contain symbiotic dinoflagellates known as zooxanthellae. Photosynthesis by symbiotic dinoflagellates benefits the animal host and the proficiency of host metabolism also plays an important role in the nutrient status of the photosynthetic dinoflagellates. We aimed to determine the responses of symbiotic dinoflagellates to host starvation. The ultrastructure and some physiological indicators of symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium sp., zooxanthellae) were examined in starved sea anemones (Stichodactyla mertensii; 3‐, 45‐ and 280‐day starvation). The cell size of zooxanthellae was not affected by starving the host; however, the ultrastructure and other physiological indicators of the zooxanthellae were affected. The photochemical efficiency of symbiotic dinoflagellates from anemones after 280 days of starvation was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that of symbiotic dinoflagellates from anemones after 3‐ and 45‐day starvation. The number of symbiotic dinoflagellates from anemones decreased with increasing starvation duration. Generally, the chlorophyll a and c content of symbiotic dinoflagellates decreased significantly with longer anemone starvation. The tentacles of 3‐day starved anemones contained the most zooxanthellae, some of which were dividing and still enclosed within one periplast, and some had split entirely within one host vacuole. Moreover, each cell from 3‐day starved anemone contained up to five or six more mitochondria than those from 45‐ to 280‐day starved anemones. More lipid granules appeared in the zooxanthellae from 45‐ to 280‐day starved anemones. Pyrenoids, lobed accumulation bodies and calcium oxalate crystals existed in the symbiotic dinoflagellates from anemones at different starvation stages, which suggested that their existence had no correlation with host starvation. These findings contribute to an improved mechanistic understanding of the symbiotic relationship between zooxanthellae and anemones.