Photosynthetic Sea Slugs in the Lab

LockeOak · 10/20/2011, 10:12 PM

Purpose of the Thread
Hi everyone, I am beginning a research project on some very interesting creatures and I thought I would start a thread to share information about them with everyone. It will also help me keep track of the project, write for a broad audience and hopefully provide some inspiration.

Introduction
This is Elysia clarki, a species of sea slug native to the Florida Keys which have the remarkable ability to steal chloroplasts from algae and survive for long periods using only photosynthesis. This is called kleptoplasty, and is done (with varying degrees of success) by many sea slugs. What really makes them special is that they not only hijack chloroplasts, they’ve actually “stolen” some of the algae’s genes as well! They’re also adorable:

The research project is to study how well the sea slugs do some very plant-like things, like maintaining chloroplasts and pumping in carbon dioxide so their chloroplasts can make sugar. I will be using functional methods to measure both photosynthetic rates and the photosynthetic health of the animals. With this information, together with the genetics done by other labs, we will have a better understanding how an animal can take an entirely different evolutionary track into becoming, at least temporarily, self-sustaining through photosynthesis.

Setup
We collected a large number from the Florida Keys in mid-October 2011. They were brought back to the lab and put in a 20 gallon tank with a large supply of their preferred food, Penicillus capitatus (Neptune’s shaving brush):

Sorry to all the aquarium gear junkies, the tank is very simple: an air pump with air stone, power compact lighting and an Aquaclear hang-on-the-back filter for water flow (no media, just a large sponge over the intake to prevent any sea slugs from being sucked into the pump). I didn't want any powerheads so as to avoid chopping up the Elysia. It’s located in a temperature-controlled room set at 80F. We'll be doing water changes weekly.

Updates
I will be keeping this thread going with updates periodically, thanks for reading!

doctorgori · 10/21/2011, 01:45 AM

subscribed ... do your thing

TheFishMan65 · 10/21/2011, 07:29 AM

This sound fascinating, looking forward to the updated.

coralnut99 · 10/21/2011, 07:31 AM

Tagging along for the ride.

whitebird9 · 10/21/2011, 07:57 AM

Tagging along

Mandragen · 10/21/2011, 07:58 AM

Excellent, I love it when people start thinking!

T Diddy · 10/21/2011, 08:56 AM

aren't those the slugs that eat bryopsis?

reeferstace · 10/21/2011, 09:13 AM

I love research. I am also a doctoral candidate at UGA.

Subscribed!

LockeOak · 10/21/2011, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T Diddy

aren't those the slugs that eat bryopsis?

Yes, my understanding is that they also eat Bryopsis, but that Penicillus is preferred. I'm not sure if they actually utilize the chloroplasts of Bryopsis or if they simply eat it.

billsreef · 10/21/2011, 10:29 AM

Fun genus of sea slugs. I've had Elysia sp. reproduce for several generations in my old sea grass tanks.

10/20/2011, 10:12 PM	#1
LockeOak Registered Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Athens, GA Posts: 839	Photosynthetic Sea Slugs in the Lab Purpose of the Thread Hi everyone, I am beginning a research project on some very interesting creatures and I thought I would start a thread to share information about them with everyone. It will also help me keep track of the project, write for a broad audience and hopefully provide some inspiration. Introduction This is Elysia clarki, a species of sea slug native to the Florida Keys which have the remarkable ability to steal chloroplasts from algae and survive for long periods using only photosynthesis. This is called kleptoplasty, and is done (with varying degrees of success) by many sea slugs. What really makes them special is that they not only hijack chloroplasts, they’ve actually “stolen” some of the algae’s genes as well! They’re also adorable: The research project is to study how well the sea slugs do some very plant-like things, like maintaining chloroplasts and pumping in carbon dioxide so their chloroplasts can make sugar. I will be using functional methods to measure both photosynthetic rates and the photosynthetic health of the animals. With this information, together with the genetics done by other labs, we will have a better understanding how an animal can take an entirely different evolutionary track into becoming, at least temporarily, self-sustaining through photosynthesis. Setup We collected a large number from the Florida Keys in mid-October 2011. They were brought back to the lab and put in a 20 gallon tank with a large supply of their preferred food, Penicillus capitatus (Neptune’s shaving brush): Sorry to all the aquarium gear junkies, the tank is very simple: an air pump with air stone, power compact lighting and an Aquaclear hang-on-the-back filter for water flow (no media, just a large sponge over the intake to prevent any sea slugs from being sucked into the pump). I didn't want any powerheads so as to avoid chopping up the Elysia. It’s located in a temperature-controlled room set at 80F. We'll be doing water changes weekly. Updates I will be keeping this thread going with updates periodically, thanks for reading!

10/21/2011, 07:29 AM	#3
TheFishMan65 Registered Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 4,618	This sound fascinating, looking forward to the updated. __________________ Click my home page for Thread Summaries Current Tank Info: 75 gallon lps and fish

10/21/2011, 07:31 AM	#4
coralnut99 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Bushkill, PA Posts: 3,632	Tagging along for the ride. __________________ Why can't my wife see this stuff as an investment? Current Tank Info: way too much to list, and still adding more!

10/21/2011, 07:58 AM	#6
Mandragen Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Lake Norman, North Carolina Posts: 700	Excellent, I love it when people start thinking! __________________ Oliver "Live a life uncommon." Current Tank Info: Falcon

10/21/2011, 08:56 AM	#7
T Diddy Slayer of Mice Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Augusta, Ga Posts: 1,338	aren't those the slugs that eat bryopsis? __________________ America's best are not in America. Current Tank Info: 140 Gallon DSA in-wall, foam/rock wall, DIY LED, 40g sump, Precision Marine Skimmer, 100 gallon refugium, NO3, PO4,NH3/4 undetectable, Mg, Ca, KH...eeehhhhhh?

10/21/2011, 01:45 AM	#2
doctorgori Moved On Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Simon Bar-Sinistar Posts: 1,097	subscribed ... do your thing

10/21/2011, 07:57 AM	#5
whitebird9 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Henderson, NV Posts: 10	Tagging along

10/21/2011, 09:13 AM	#8
reeferstace I'm a little people Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Over Yonder Posts: 1,392	I love research. I am also a doctoral candidate at UGA. Subscribed!

10/21/2011, 10:29 AM	#10
billsreef Moderator 10 & Over Club Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Long Island, NY/North Miami Posts: 36,538	Fun genus of sea slugs. I've had Elysia sp. reproduce for several generations in my old sea grass tanks. __________________ Bill "LOL, well I have no brain apparently. " - dc (Debi) Current Tank Info: Far too many tanks according to my wife, LOL.

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