Thus, Elysia chlorotica seems to feed on algae only at the beginning of its existence, then it is drawing its energy exclusively from photosynthesis. Chloroplasts then remain functional throughout the life of the sea slug. during the transition from larval to adult form. The mollusc has acquired chloroplasts during its development, i.e. Their tissues contain symbiotic zooxanthellae, which are photosynthetic microalgae belonging to the genus Symbiodinium.īut for the sea slug Elysia chlorotica, things are very different. This is the case with corals, which are organized colonies of polyps (see Corals: Ocean engineers are under threat). The most stable relationship is observed in symbiosis involving photosynthetic organisms. This is generally for a limited period of time, but predation allows the stock to be renewed. They then integrate them into their digestive system and use them at their own service. ]In general, many marine organisms retain chlorophyll cells absorbed from their prey: green, red or brown algae. This property seems to be specific of this family, since several related species have the same behaviour.įigure 1. That’s why Elysia chlorotica looks like a green leaf, presenting leaf vein-like structures. They are present in the cells of his highly branched digestive tract. These chloroplasts contain chlorophyll, a pigment that captures light during photosynthesis and gives the sea slug its green colour. This is an example of chloroplastic symbiosis or kleptoplasty, in other words, chloroplast robbery. During digestion, the photosynthetic cells from the algae are only partially destroyed: their chloroplasts remain intact and allow Elysia to use the products of photosynthesis to feed itself. How is that possible? Elysia chlorotica feeds on filamentous algae such as Vaucheria littorea. It’s green! When the sun shines, it spreads out, as if to enjoy the sun. It lives in shallow waters along the east coast of North America. The sea slug called Elysia chlorotica is a small 5 cm-long marine gastropod. Elysia chlorotica, a sea slug able of drawing its energy from photosynthesis!
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