Dynamic Nature of Algal Symbioses: Consequences for Host Fitness in an Intertidal Alga-Anemone Association.

藻类共生的动态性质：潮间带藻类-海葵协会中宿主适应性的后果。

• 批准号: 0822179
• 负责人: Brian Bingham
• 金额: $ 45万
• 依托单位: Western Washington University
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Continuing Grant
• 财政年份: 2008
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2008-08-01 至 2014-03-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=0822179&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: Dynamic; Nature; Algal; Symbioses; Consequences

Anthopleura elegantissima is the most abundant sea anemone in intertidal communities of the northeast Pacific Ocean. This dominant invertebrate plays an important role in the ecology of these systems. Because of the unique symbiotic relationship A. elegantissima has with two distinct photosynthetic algae, it is also important as a model to help us better understand symbiotic partnerships and how they respond to a changing environment. The relative abundance of the two algae in A. elegantissima populations along the outer coast of Washington State will be assessed. This will provide a barometer for climate change; the distributions and abundances of the two symbiont species are predicted to shift if, for example, temperature or light levels change. This prediction is based on the different physiological tolerances of the algal symbionts (one prefers cooler, low-light environments while the other does better in warmer, high-light environments). In laboratory studies, the relative value of each symbiont will be tested by measuring their impact on growth and reproduction of the anemone host. Anemones will be exposed to different levels of natural sunlight, and sexual reproduction, asexual division, and body growth will be monitored. Health of the symbionts will also be measured in terms of photosynthetic productivity and division rate. Results of the work will provide valuable insights into the ecology of an important and abundant intertidal species. Results will also be important for developing testable hypotheses about how other long-lived species with multiple symbiotic partners (e.g., lichens and corals) will be affected by climate change-related shifts in symbiont complements. This project will engage in symbiosis research 14 undergraduate and 2 graduate students, including members of groups underrepresented in science. Elements of the project will be incorporated into existing undergraduate courses and an elementary school outreach program, and also disseminated through public lectures.

Anthopleura beautifulissima 是东北太平洋潮间带群落中最丰富的海葵。这种优势无脊椎动物在这些系统的生态中发挥着重要作用。 由于 A. beautifulissima 与两种不同的光合藻类具有独特的共生关系，它作为一个模型也很重要，可以帮助我们更好地了解共生伙伴关系以及它们如何响应不断变化的环境。 将评估华盛顿州外海岸 A. beautifulissima 种群中两种藻类的相对丰度。这将为气候变化提供晴雨表；如果温度或光照水平发生变化，这两种共生体物种的分布和丰度预计会发生变化。 这一预测是基于藻类共生体不同的生理耐受性（一种更喜欢凉爽、低光环境，而另一种则在温暖、高光环境中表现更好）。在实验室研究中，将通过测量每种共生体对海葵宿主生长和繁殖的影响来测试它们的相对价值。 海葵将暴露在不同程度的自然阳光下，并监测有性繁殖、无性分裂和身体生长。 共生体的健康状况也将根据光合生产力和分裂率来衡量。这项工作的结果将为了解重要且丰富的潮间带物种的生态提供有价值的见解。结果对于制定可检验的假设也很重要，这些假设涉及具有多个共生伙伴的其他长寿物种（例如地衣和珊瑚）将如何受到气候变化相关的共生体互补变化的影响。 该项目将有 14 名本科生和 2 名研究生参与共生研究，其中包括科学界代表性不足的群体的成员。 该项目的内容将纳入现有的本科课程和小学推广计划，并通过公开讲座进行传播。