Cell migration of zooxanthellae in the coral Montipora capitata

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2003-12

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University of Hawaii at Manoa

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Reef-building corals have evolved an elaborate symbiotic relationship with zooxanthellae which plays an important role in supporting the productivity and diversity of coral reef ecosystems. It is important to know how the population of symbionts is maintained in the healthy symbiotic relationship, since such information may be helpful for understanding coral bleaching, that is, an abnormally low density of zooxanthellae. In plate-shaped colonies of Montipora capitata, the dividing cells were selectively labeled by exposing live colonies to 5-bromo-2'- deoxyuridine (BrdU) to see where the cell division take place and to test the hypothesis that cells may move within the colony. When visualized with immunohistology, the dividing cells were found in higher proportion in the shaded part of colony. Long-term tracking of the labeled cells indicated that there is a vertical migration of zooxanthellae in an upward direction through the plate. This might be the key to protecting the cells from high solar radiation and could facilitate recovery of corals from bleaching.

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v, 47 leaves

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Theses for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (University of Hawaii at Manoa). Zoology; no. 3847

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