CHANGES IN THE ULTRASTRUCTURE OF SYMBIOTIC ZOOXANTHELLAE (SYMBIODINIUM SP., DINOPHYCEAE) IN FED AND STARVED SEA ANEMONES MAINTAINED UNDER HIGH AND LOW LIGHT1

The ultrastructure of symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium sp., zooxanthellae) in the sea anemone Aiptasia pallida Verrill was examined in well-fed or starved (up to 120 days) anemones maintained under two light levels (5 and 50 μmol · m^?2· s^?1). Cell size of zooxanthellae was not affected by feeding history; however, both light and feeding history affected the relative cell volume of chloroplasts, lipids, and vacuoles. Stereological analysis of transmission electron micrographs showed that algae in low-light starved anemones had 10 times as much lipid (17.4% of cell volume) as those in well-fed anemones under the same light conditions (1.8%). The lipid content of algae from anemones in high light increased from 15.4% in well-fed anemones to 30.1% in starved anemones. The starch content of zooxanthellae in low-light anemones was law (4.1%) and not affected by feeding history, while the starch content of zooxanthellae in high-light anemones was greater (10.7%), with some differences among groups. Algal photoacclimation to low light included an increase in chloroplast relative volume from 17% (in well-fed high-light anemones) to 33% in well-fed low-light anemones. Starvation of the host resulted in a significant decrease in chloroplast volume in zooxanthellae in anemones at both light levels. Morphometry provides quantitative confirmation of biochemical and physiological data on zooxanthellae, because the changes in zooxanthellae with starvation of the host are consistent with other indicators of nutrient limitation of zooxanthellae of A. pallida held without food for long periods of time.     

Is dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) produced by the symbionts or the host in an anemone–zooxanthella symbiosis?

Many groups of tropical cnidarians including scleractinian corals, octocorals, corallimorphs, and anemones contain the tertiary sulfonium compound dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP). It is not known if the compound is synthesized by the animals, their microalgal symbionts, or derived through their diet. We determined the source of the DMSP in several species of tropical and temperate anemones using three approaches: (1) conducting comparative measurements of DMSP in aposymbiotic and zooxanthellate anemones of three species that harbor zooxanthellae, and similar measurements in one species that can harbor both zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae, (2) manipulating the presence or absence of zooxanthellae by inoculating juvenile aposymbiotic anemones (Aiptasia pallida) with their symbiont, Symbiodinium bermudense, and (3) manipulating the numbers of S. bermudense by growing aposymbiotic and zooxanthellate A. pallida in the light and the dark. DMSP was present in zooxanthellate anemones in concentrations of 3.4–15 μmol g⁻¹ fresh mass (FM). In aposymbiotic Aiptasia spp. and Anthopleura elegantissima that lacked large numbers of zooxanthellae, concentrations ranged from being undetectable to 0.43 μmol g⁻¹ FM. When aposymbiotic A. pallida were inoculated with zooxanthellae, concentrations of DMSP were an average of 4.24 μmol g⁻¹ FM after 5 weeks; DMSP was undetectable in uninoculated control animals. Aposymbiotic anemones maintained in the light or the dark for 6 weeks contained no DMSP or zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellate anemones in the light contained five times as many zooxanthellae and approximately 7.5 times as much DMSP as zooxanthellate anemones maintained in the dark. Taken together, these data show that the zooxanthellae are the sole source of DMSP in A. pallida. The trends in DMSP concentrations in other species of zooxanthellate anemones suggest that this phenomenon is not limited to A. pallida but may be more generally true for other anemones or even other cnidarians hosting species of Symbiodinium. Communicated by Biology Editor Dr. Michael Lesser     

Ability of Monaco shrimp Lysmata seticaudata (Decapoda: Hippolytidae) to control the pest glass anemone Aiptasia pallida (Actiniaria: Aiptasidae)

The present work highlights the ability of wild and cultured Monaco shrimp Lysmata seticaudata to control the glass anemone Aiptasia pallida. Starved shrimp ingested the highest percentages of glass anemones [85.7% and 89.3% for wild (W) and cultured (C) shrimp, respectively]. The absence of symbiotic zooxanthellae in glass anemones did not influence the shrimps feeding rate, with shrimp offered aposymbiotic anemones displaying the same feeding percentages (67.3% and 70.7% for W and C shrimp, respectively) as those offered sea anemones with symbiotic zooxanthellae (70.0% and 74.4% for W and C shrimp, respectively). Shrimp offered larger sea anemones had the lowest feeding percentages (33.0% and 36.3% for W and C shrimp, respectively), along with shrimp offered an alternative food (27.3% and 36.0% for W and C shrimp, respectively). There were no significant differences in the percentage of glass anemones ingested by cultured and wild Monaco shrimp in the same feeding trial.     

BROAD THERMAL TOLERANCE OF THE SYMBIOTIC DINOFLAGELLATE SYMBIODINIUM MUSCATINEI (DINOPHYTA) IN THE SEA ANEMONE ANTHOPLEURA ELEGANTISSIMA (CNIDARIA) FROM NORTHERN LATITUDES1

The sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt) hosts two species of symbiotic dinoflagellates, known as zooxanthellae, which coexist within the host at southern latitudes only. One of these species, Symbiodinium muscatinei LaJeunesse et Trench, has a broad latitudinal distribution, occurring in intertidal anemones from Washington state to Southern California. To investigate whether high thermal tolerance contributes to the ability of S. muscatinei to inhabit anemones from northern and southern regions, the upper thermal tolerance limit for photosynthesis of symbionts in northern (48°24′ N) populations of A. elegantissima was determined by subjecting anemones to a gradual increase in temperature from 12°C to 30°C over a 10‐week period. Light‐saturated photosynthetic rates of isolated zooxanthellae were the same over the range of 12°C–24°C and declined significantly at 26°C, which is 14°C and 5°C above average summertime seawater temperatures in northern Puget Sound and Southern California, respectively. At 28°C, zooxanthellae isolated from the anemones, and those expelled by their hosts, exhibited extremely low rates of photosynthesis and highly reduced chl content. The photosynthetic rates and chl content of expelled zooxanthellae were lower than those of retained zooxanthellae. The high thermal tolerance of S. muscatinei isolated from northern populations of anemones supports the broad latitudinal distribution of this symbiont, allowing it to coexist with S. californium (#383, Banaszak et al. 1993 ) in southern populations of anemones.     

Temperate and tropical algal-sea anemone symbioses

Abstract. In this review, we seek to develop new insights about the nature of algal‐sea anemone symbioses by comparing such associations in temperate and tropical seas. Temperate seas undergo pronounced seasonal cycles in irradiance, temperature, and nutrients, while high irradiance, high temperature, and low nutrients are seasonally far less variable in tropical seas. We compare the nature of symbiosis between sea anemones (= actinians) and zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium spp.) in both regions to test tropical paradigms against temperate examples and to identify directions for future research. Although fewer anemone species are symbiotic in temperate regions, they are locally dominant and ecologically important members of the benthic community compared to the tropics. Zooxanthella densities tend to be lower in temperate anemones, but data are limited to a few species in both temperate and tropical seas. Zooxanthella densities are far more stable over time in temperate anemones than in tropical anemones, suggesting that temperate symbioses are more resistant to fluctuations in environmental parameters such as irradiance and temperature. Light‐saturated photosynthetic rates of temperate and tropical zooxanthellae are similar, but temperate anemone hosts receive severely reduced carbon supplies from zooxanthellae during winter months when light is reduced. Symbiont transmission modes and specificity do not show any trends among anemones in tropical vs. temperate seas. Our review indicates the need for the following: (1) Investigations of other temperate and tropical symbiotic anemone species to assess the generality of trends seen in a few “model’ anemones. (2) Attention to the field ecology of temperate and tropical algal‐anemone symbioses, for example, how symbioses function under seasonally variable environmental factors and how zooxanthellae persist at high densities in darkness and winter. The greater stability of zooxanthella populations in temperate hosts may be useful to understanding tropical symbioses in which bleaching (loss of zooxanthellae) is of major concern. (3) Study of the evolutionary history of symbiosis in both temperate and tropical seas. Continued exploration of the phylogenetic relationships between host anemones and zooxanthella strains may show how and why zooxanthellae differ in anemone hosts in both environments.     

Benefits to host sea anemones from ammonia contributions of resident anemonefish

Large ectosymbionts (especially fishes and crustaceans) may have major impacts on the physiology of host cnidarians (sea anemones and corals), but these effects have not been well quantified. Here we describe impacts on giant sea anemone hosts (Entacmaea quadricolor) and their endosymbiotic zooxanthellae (Symbiodinium spp.) from the excretion products of anemonefish guests (Amphiprion bicinctus) under laboratory conditions. Starved host anemones were maintained with anemonefish, ammonia supplements (= NH₃ gas and NH₄⁺ ion), or neither for 2 mo. In the presence of external ammonia supplements or resident anemonefish, the zooxanthellae within host anemones increased in abundance (173% and 139% respectively), and provided the hosts with energy that minimized host body size loss. In contrast, anemones cultured with neither ammonia nor anemonefish harbored significantly lower abundances of zooxanthellae (84% of initial abundance) and decreased > 60% in body size. Although they maintained higher zooxanthella abundances, anemones cultured with either ammonia supplements or resident anemonefish exhibited significantly lower ammonia uptake rates (0.065 ± 0.005 µmol g^- 1 h^- 1, and 0.052 ± 0.018 µmol g^- 1 h^- 1 respectively) than did control anemones (0.119 ± 0.009 µmol g^- 1 h^- 1), indicating that their zooxanthellae were more nitrogen sufficient. We conclude that, in this multi-level mutualism, ammonia supplements provide essentially the same level of physiological contribution to host anemones and zooxanthellae as do live resident fish. This nutrient supplement reduces the dependence of the zooxanthellae on host feeding, and allows them to provide abundant photosynthetically-produced energy to the host.     

Seasonal variation in light-shade adaptation of natural populations of the symbiotic sea anemone Aiptasiapulchella (Carlgren, 1943) in Hawaii

The productivity and biomass parameters of the symbiotic anemone Aiptasia pulchella (Carlgren, 1943) from a shaded mangrove lagoon (maximum summer irradiance of 100 μE m⁻² · s⁻¹) and a sunlit reef flat (maximum summer irradiance of 1400 μE · m⁻² · s⁻¹) were examined in Hawaii. Light-shade adaptation was evident in the summer populations (1981) but not observed during the fall (1982). In the summer, zooxanthellae from the lagoon A. pulchella (shade anemones) contained 2.97 pg Chl a cell ⁻¹ and those from the reef flat (sun anemones) contained 1.70 pg Chl a · cell⁻¹; but Chl a : c₂ ratios were 2.5 in zooxanthellae from both shade and sun anemones. During the fall, there were no significant differences in Chl a and c₂ of zooxanthellae (2.25 pg Chl a · cell⁻¹) in shade and sun anemones, but Chl a : c₂ ratios averaged 3.9. During both seasons, shade anemones were larger and contained higher densities of zooxanthellae than sun anemones. In addition to differences between shade and sun habitats, there was localized photoadaptation of zooxanthellae within individual anemones due to microhabitat variations in ambient irradiance. Growth rates of zooxanthellae in A. pulchella differed in shade and sun anemones. Specific growth rates for zooxanthellae in situ were the same for shade populations in both summer and fall (0.016 day⁻¹). However, zooxanthellae in sun anemones grew four times faster in the fall (0.033 day⁻¹) than during the summer (0.008 day⁻¹). These results suggest that growth of zooxanthellae in these anemones was independent of ambient irradiance. Photosynthesis-irradiance (P-I) responses of shade and sun anemones during the summer showed that shade anemones had greater photosynthetic efficiencies (α) but lower photosynthetic capacities (P_max) than sun anemones. Dark-respiration rates of sun anemones were twice those obtained with shade anemones. In the fall, these populations of anemones did not exhibit P-I responses characteristic of light-shade adaptation. Both α and P_max of shade and sun anemones were higher in the fall, indicating that zooxanthellae in A. pulchella adapted to seasonal reduction in irradiance.     

Chemosensory and feeding responses of the nudibranch Aeolidia papillosa to the symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

Abstract. The aeolid nudibranch Aeolidia papillosa is an important predator on the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima , a host to two kinds of endosymbiotic algae: zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae. The possible influence of the algae on the nudibranch's predatory response to this anemone was examined in a laboratory study. In chemosensory experiments, the nudibranch detected and chose anemone scent over a seawater control, but in both chemosensory and feeding experiments showed no preference for zooxanthellate or zoochlorellate anemones. Ingestive conditioning on zooxanthellate or zoochlorellate anemones had no effect on choice of these two anemone types in chemosensory experiments. Comparisons of the productivity and photosynthetic pigments of algae obtained from nudibranch feces and from anemones show that both algae survive passage through the nudibranch gut. The productivity of fecal zooxanthellae was 1.6X greater than that of zooxanthellae freshly isolated from anemones, although the chlorophyll a content of fecal zooxanthellae was reduced. The productivity and amount of pigments were the same for zoochlorellae in nudibranch feces and freshly isolated from anemones. Comparing fecal and isolated algae, there was no significant difference in the percentage of zooxanthellae in the process of cell division. However, the percentage of dividing cells was 2.6X higher in fecal than in freshly isolated zoochlorellae (18% and 6.9% respectively). Although the endosymbiotic algae do not make their host more or less attractive to the nudibranch, this predator may play an important role in maintaining the symbiotic relationship of Anthopleura elegantissima with zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae by providing viable algae in its feces as a source for the anemone host.     

Sedimentary nitrogen uptake and assimilation in the temperate zooxanthellate sea anemone Anthopleura aureoradiata

The sea anemone Anthopleura aureoradiata (Carlgren), which harbours symbiotic dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae), is abundant on mudflats and rocky shores around New Zealand. We measured the potential for particulate nitrogen uptake from sediment by A. aureoradiata and the subsequent consequences of this uptake on the nitrogen status of its zooxanthellae. Sediment was rinsed, labelled with (¹⁵NH₄)₂SO₄, and provided to anemones at low (0.23 g ml^− 1) and high (1.33 g ml^− 1) sediment loads for 6 h. Both anemone tissues and zooxanthellae became enriched with ¹⁵N. Enrichment of anemone tissues was similar at both high and low sediment loads, but the zooxanthellae became more enriched at the lower load. This was presumably because the uptake of ammonium, arising from host catabolism, by zooxanthellae is light driven and because the anemones at the lower load were able to extend their tentacles into the light while those at the higher load were not. The influence of sediment uptake on the nitrogen status of the zooxanthellae was determined by measuring the extent to which 20 μM NH₄⁺ enhanced the rate of zooxanthellar dark carbon fixation above that seen in filtered seawater (FSW) alone; the ammonium enhancement ratio (AER) was expressed as [dark NH₄⁺ rate/dark FSW rate], where ‘rate’ refers to C fixation and a ratio of 1.0 or less indicates nitrogen sufficiency. When anemones were starved with and without rinsed sediment in nitrogen-free artificial seawater for 8 weeks, zooxanthellar nitrogen deficiency became apparent at 2-4 weeks and reached similar levels in both treatments (AER = ~ 2). In contrast, anemones fed 5 times per week for 8 weeks with Artemia nauplii were nitrogen sufficient (AER = 1.03). In the field, zooxanthellae from mudflat anemones were largely nitrogen sufficient (AER = 1.26), while nitrogen deficient zooxanthellae were present in anemones from a rocky intertidal site (AER = 2.93). These results suggest that, while there was evidence for particulate nitrogen uptake, dissolved inorganic nitrogen (especially ammonium) in interstitial pore water may be a more important source of nitrogen for the zooxanthellae in mudflat anemones, and may explain the marked difference in nitrogen status between the mudflat and rocky shore populations.     

The intertidal distribution of two algal symbionts hosted by Anthopleura xanthogrammica (Brandt 1835)

This paper quantifies the spatial distribution of zooxanthellae (ZX) and zoochlorellae (ZC), two algal symbionts common to the temperate anemone, Anthopleura xanthogrammica, in relation to shore height. Anemones in tidepools and crevices had varying algal proportions: >0.90 ZC (green anemones), 0.10 to 0.90 ZX (mixed), and >0.90 ZX (brown). Brown anemones are primarily found in the high intertidal and the upper region of tidepools. Mixed anemones are most common at intermediate shore heights and green anemones are exclusive to the low shore and at increasing depth in tidepools. Microhabitat was also important to algal proportion, as anemones in crevices had greater proportions of ZC than anemones in tidepools at the same shore height. In a reciprocal transplant experiment, A. xanthogrammica were moved between high and low shallow tidepools. All anemones moved from a low to a high tidepool exhibited a shift from ZC to ZX populations, while the anemones transplanted from high to low tidepools maintained ZX dominance. This is the first documentation that field algal populations can shift from ZC to ZX in Anthopleura. The field survey and transplant study results support the hypothesis that the relative abundance of ZX and ZC in A. xanthogrammica is influenced by the environmental gradient associated with shore height and microhabitat.     

Symbiosis regulation in a facultatively symbiotic temperate coral: zooxanthellae division and expulsion

Zooxanthellae mitotic index (MI) and expulsion rates were measured in the facultatively symbiotic scleractinian Astrangia poculata during winter and summer off the southern New England coast, USA. While MI was significantly higher in summer than in winter, mean expulsion rates were comparable between seasons. Corals therefore appear to allow increases in symbiont density when symbiosis is advantageous during the warm season, followed by a net reduction during the cold season when zooxanthellae may draw resources from the coral. Given previous reports that photosynthesis in A. poculata symbionts does not occur below approximately 6°C, considerable zooxanthellae division at 3°C and in darkness suggests that zooxanthellae are heterotrophic at low seasonal temperatures. Finally, examination of expulsion as a function of zooxanthellae density revealed that corals with very low zooxanthellae densities export a significantly greater proportion of their symbionts, apparently allowing them to persist in a stable azooxanthellate state.     

Ammonium metabolism in the symbiotic sea anemone Anemonia viridis

The temperate sea anemone Anemonia viridis (Forskål) forms an endosymbiotic association with dinoflagellate algae commonly referred to as zooxanthellae. It is now well established that under appropriate environmental conditions, these associations can be autotrophic for carbon. Under such conditions, many of these symbioses, including A. viridis, not only retain excretory ammonium, but can take up ammonium added to the surrounding seawater. The flux from inorganic to organic nitrogen will be via the free amino acid pools and in A. viridis these were found to be markedly different between zooxanthellae and host with glycine and taurine dominant in the latter. When anemones were maintained with 20 M ammonium, the concentration of free amino groups increased in the zooxanthellae but appeared not to change in the host. There was no evidence that the ratio of glutamine – glutamate in zooxanthellae changed when anemones were maintained with 20 M ammonium for 47 days. These ratios imply that zooxanthellae from this temperate symbiosis may not be nitrogen-limited. GDH was detected in both zooxanthellae and host where it was most active with the coenzyme NADPH. In addition, GDH showed activity when glutamine replaced ammonium as the substrate, indicating that the host may have alternative means to assimilate ammonium. Zooxanthellae were shown to possess GOGAT activity in the presence of a ferredoxin analogue. This suggests that in vivo zooxanthellae could assimilate ammonium via the activity of GS linked with ferredoxin-dependent GOGAT. Given evidence from other studies of rapid ammonium assimilation and essential amino acid synthesis in symbiotic host tissue, it appears that the capacity of cnidarians to metabolise nitrogen may at present be underestimated.     

Repopulation of a sea anemone with symbiotic dinoflagellates: Analysis by in vivo fluorescence

Individuals in a population of aposymbiotic Aiptasia pulchella Carlgren were each inoculated with homologous zooxanthellae. The rate of repopulation of the anemones (i.e. the in situ growth rate of the zooxanthellae) was determined non-destructively from the mean in vivo fluorescence per anemone over 19 days. As zooxanthellae cell density increased, chlorophyll a per cell increased, but fluorescence per cell decreased, probably as a result of self-shading. The emergent relationship between in vivo fluorescence and number of zooxanthellae was linear over the range of cell densities investigated. The-specific growth rate during exponential growth was 0.4·day⁻¹ between days 7 and 15. As repopulation approached saturation (ca. 0.5 × 10⁶ cells per mg animal soluble protein) at about 19 days, the growth rate decreased and approached the steady state growth rate of about 0.02 · day⁻¹ of normal symbiotic anemones. Rates of repopulation of A. pulchella by freshly isolated and cultured homologous zooxanthellae were virtually identical.     

Vertical and horizontal distribution patterns of the giant sea anemone Heteractis crispa with symbiotic anemonefish on a fringing coral reef

The distribution patterns of the leathery sea anemone, Heteractis crispa, which contains an algal endosymbiont (zooxanthellae) and anemonefish, were investigated in relation to size distribution on a shallow fringing reef (3.2 ha, 0–4 m depth) in Okinawa, Japan. Individual growth and movements were also examined. Large individuals (>1,000 cm²) inhabited reef edges up to a depth of 4 m, while small anemone (<500 cm²) inhabited shallow reefs including inner reef flats. Individuals rarely moved, and their sizes were significantly correlated with their water depths. Growth of small anemones was negatively correlated with their distance from the reef edge, suggesting that reef edges provide more prey and lower levels of physiological stress. This study suggested that deep reef edges are suitable habitats for H. crispa. Large anemones were inhabited by large Amphiprion perideraion or large Amphiprion clarkii, both of which are effective defenders against anemone predators. Anemones that settle in deep reef edges may enjoy a higher survival rate and attain a large size because of their symbiotic relationship with anemonefish. However, early settlers do not harbor anemonefish. Their mortality rate would be higher in the deep edges than in shallow edges, the complicated topography of which provides refuge.     

The genetic identity of dinoflagellate symbionts in Caribbean octocorals

Many cnidarians (e.g., corals, octocorals, sea anemones) maintain a symbiosis with dinoflagellates (zooxanthellae). Zooxanthellae are grouped into clades, with studies focusing on scleractinian corals. We characterized zooxanthellae in 35 species of Caribbean octocorals. Most Caribbean octocoral species (88.6%) hosted clade B zooxanthellae, 8.6% hosted clade C, and one species (2.9%) hosted clades B and C. Erythropodium caribaeorum harbored clade C and a unique RFLP pattern, which, when sequenced, fell within clade C. Five octocoral species displayed no zooxanthella cladal variation with depth. Nine of the ten octocoral species sampled throughout the Caribbean exhibited no regional zooxanthella cladal differences. The exception, Briareum asbestinum, had some colonies from the Dry Tortugas exhibiting the E. caribaeorum RFLP pattern while elsewhere hosting clade B. In the Caribbean, octocorals show more symbiont specificity at the cladal level than scleractinian corals. Both octocorals and scleractinian corals, however, exhibited taxonomic affinity between zooxanthella clade and host suborder.Communicated by R.C. Carpenter     

Impact of symbiotic algae on sea anemone metabolism: analysis by in vivo 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

High-field pulsed Fourier-transform nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR) was used to quantify the adenylate levels of sea anemones (Aiptasia pulchella) with and without symbiotic dinoflagellates (Symbiodinium sp.). Animals were fed to repletion, then starved in darkness for up to six days before collection of in vivo NMR spectra. The host adenylate ratio of ATP: (ATP + ADP) declined significantly with increasing periods of starvation in both symbiotic and aposymbiotic hosts (P less than 0.05). However, the decline in the animal adenylate ratio was significantly more rapid in animals bearing symbiotic algae (P less than 0.05). This suggests that symbiotic algae in darkness cause more rapid depletion of host energy reserves, possibly by drawing on host pools of organic substrates. In vivo NMR spectroscopy was also used to evaluate the effect on A. pulchella of photosynthesis by zooxanthellae. Symbiotic anemones were fed to repletion, then starved under high irradiance (300 to 320 mu Ein m-2 s-1) or low irradiance (70 to 80 mu Ein m-2 s-1) conditions for up to five days. The host adenylate ratio declined significantly (P less than 0.01) with starvation under both treatments, but no significant difference was detected between treatments (P greater than 0.35). Blotted wet weight of anemones under high and low irradiance declined by 50% over eight days of starvation, but there was no significant difference in the rate of weight loss by anemones in the two treatments. There results suggest that translocation of photosynthate from symbiotic zooxanthellae does not significantly affect host adenylate ratio or have a sparing effect on host biomass during starvation in this symbiotic sea anemone.     

Absorption of food in Heterotis niloticus (Cuvier) (pisces: osteoglossidae) from a small tropical man-made lake in Ibadan, Nigeria

The protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents of the food ingested and their absorption in the intestine of Heterotis niloticus inhabiting a small man-made lake; Awba Lake, in Ibadan were investigated.The ingested food had mean total protein, mean total carbohydrate and mean total lipid contents of 53.0%, 28.8% and 15.5% of the organic content, respectively. Calculated percentages absorbed were 56.4–72.7% (mean — 64.9%) total protein, 32.2–50.8% (mean — 40.3%) total carbohydrates and 71.9–87.3% (mean = 78.3%) lipid.Absorption mostly occurred in the fore-gut (the first one-third of the intestine) and least in the hind-gut (the last one-third of the intestine). Different sizes of fish showed different dietary protein, carbohydrate and lipid contents. Absorptive capacity for these components of the food also varied with fish size.     

Individual and population growth in the asexually reproducing anemone Aiptasia pallida Verrill

The effects of feeding regime and zooxanthellae on individual and population growth of Aiptasia pallida (Verrill) were studied in a series of laboratory experiments. Individual and population growth were measured as biomass increase. Both individual and population growth were significantly affected by feeding regime while zooxanthellae enhanced growth only at the most infrequent feeding regime. Feeding regime had no significant effect on the number of individual anemones in the population produced asexually by pedal laceration after 8 wk, although there were temporal differences in pedal laceration between feeding regimes during this 8-wk period. Anemones fed three times per wk underwent little pedal laceration prior to week 4 with most individuals produced after week 4. In contrast, anemones fed once per 4 wk produced almost all anemones prior to week 4 with little subsequent pedal laceration. Zooxanthellae significantly increased the number of anemones produced by pedal laceration only among individuals fed at 4-wk intervals. Zooxanthellae had no effect on pedal laceration among individuals fed three times per week.

Population growth, measured as weight change, after 4 wk was greater than individual growth for all treatments except aposymbiotic anemones fed at 4-wk intervals for which there was no significant difference between individual and population percent weight change. These results suggest that zooxanthellae enhance growth only during periods of prey scarcity and that asexual reproduction by symbiotic individuals increases biomass at a greater rate than does individual anemone growth.     

A seasonal study of the red seaweeds Solieria tenera and three species of Gracilaria from Jamaica

Three species of Gracilaria viz G. cervicornis, G. domingensis, G. verrucosa and Solieria tenera (Gigartinales, Rhodophyta) have been studied for their monthly variation in dry wt yields, ash, soluble carbohydrate, protein, lipid and insoluble carbohydrate contents for one year. The dry wt yields were higher in G. domingensis. Soluble carbohydrate and ash contents showed an inverse relationship in all the species. Protein content was lower, below 5% of the dry wt for all the species. A comparison of protein:carbohydrate ratios showed a similarity between morphologically similar G. domingensis and G. cervicornis in that there was less variation in the ratio. From this, it is assumed that flattened morphology probably is more efficient in maintaining nutrient balance to keep up the growth rates.