Effects of visible and ultraviolet radiation on the ultrastructure of zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium sp.) in culture and in situ

Abstract

Quantitative ultrastructural studies on the effects of visible and ultraviolet radiation on zooxanthellae in culture and in situ showed an inverse relationship between the volume fraction of chloroplast and irridiance. An independent effect of ultraviolet radiation was detected in cultured zooxanthellae only. The volume fraction of chloroplasts in cultured zooxanthellae and zooxanthellae in situ were the same, while the surface density of thylakoid lamellae relative to chloroplast volume in cultured zooxanthellae was less than in zooxanthellae in situ for all irradiances. Additionally, zooxanthellae in situ showed an effect of ultraviolet radiation on surface density of thylakoid lamellae. The response to different irradiances suggests a limit to photoadaptation by means of changing chloroplast volume, and that changes in thylakoid density are responsible for the continued photoadaptive plasticity observed. Flow cytometry and stereological studies show that the volume fraction of accumulation bodies within zooxanthellae increases with irradiance and ultraviolet radiation. Ultrastructurally, accumulation bodies do not resemble plant peroxisomes or glyoxysomes, while other inclusions observed in this stydy are suggestive of peroxisomes. This evidence suggests that accumulation bodies are not peroxisomes, but does support the previous assumptions concerning their role in autophagic processes.