Effects of Decreased Salinity on Expulsion of Zooxanthellae in the Symbiotic Sea Anemone Anthopleura elegantissima
Effects of Decreased Salinity on Expulsion of Zooxanthellae in the Symbiotic Sea Anemone Anthopleura elegantissima
Date
1994-10
Authors
Engebretson, Hilary
Martin, Karen L.M.
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University of Hawaii Press
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Abstract
Many natural conditions cause expulsion of zooxanthellae from
corals and sea anemones. Recent studies have focused on causes and mechanisms
of this release. We examined an incidence of bleaching in a field population
of the sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima (Brandt). Our data suggest
that expulsion of zooxanthellae was caused by reduced salinity from freshwater
runoff after heavy rainfall. In the laboratory, A. elegantissima expelled zooxanthellae
in quantities directly correlated with strength and duration of
exposure to hyposalinity. The mechanism of release appears to be rupture of
the host cell, followed by accumulation of clumps of zooxanthellae that are
then expelled from the coelenteron. A. elegantissima has little or no ability to
osmoregulate the water in its coelenteron, and internal salinity drops rapidly
with external salinity reduction.
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Engebretson H, Martin KLM. 1994. Effects of decreased salinity on expulsion of zooxanthellae in the symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima. Pac Sci 48(4): 446-457.
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