Light harvesting by wavelength transformation in a symbiotic coral of the Red Sea twilight zone |
| |
Authors: | D Schlichter H W Fricke W Weber |
| |
Institution: | (1) Zoologisches Institut, Universität zu Köln, Weyertal 119, D-5000 Köln 41, Federal Republic of Germany;(2) Max-Planck-Institut für Verhaltensphysiologie, D-8131 Seewiesen, Federal Republic of Germany;(3) The Heinz Steinitz Marine Biology Laboratory, Eilat, Israel |
| |
Abstract: | We report an extraordinary depth range for Leptoseris fragilis (Milne Edwards and Haime), a reef building coral of the Red Sea living in cytosymbiosis with zooxanthellae. The coral harbours an as yet unknown pigment system. We suggest that the heterotrophic host — the coral — provides its photoautotrophic symbionts with additional light. The supplementary light is provided by host pigments which transform light of short wavelengths into suitable wavelengths for photosynthesis, thus amplifying and increasing the transfer of photoassimilates from the zooxanthellae to the host. |
| |
Keywords: | |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|