Our work provides strong support for the hypothesis that Sinularia flexibilis ingests diatoms such as Thalassiosira pseudonana. We assessed algal ingestion by S. flexibilis through estimates of algal removal, histological analyses, scanning electron microscopy observations, and gene expression determination (18S and silicon transporter 1) by real time PCR. Cell counts are strongly suggestive of algal removal by the coral; light and scanning microscopy provide qualitative evidence for the ingestion of T. pseudonana by S. flexibilis, while molecular markers did not prove to be sufficiently selective/specific to give clear results. We thus propose that previous instances of inability of corals to ingest algae are reconsidered using different technical approach, before concluding that coral herbivory is not a general feature.
Herbivory in the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis (Alcyoniidae) / Piccinetti, Chiara Carla; Ricci, Roberta; Pennesi, Chiara; Radaelli, Giuseppe; Totti, Cecilia Maria; Norici, Alessandra; Giordano, Mario; Olivotto, Ike. - In: SCIENTIFIC REPORTS. - ISSN 2045-2322. - ELETTRONICO. - 6:(2016), p. 22679. [10.1038/srep22679]
Herbivory in the soft coral Sinularia flexibilis (Alcyoniidae)
PICCINETTI, Chiara Carla;PENNESI, CHIARA;TOTTI, Cecilia Maria;NORICI, ALESSANDRA;GIORDANO, Mario;OLIVOTTO, Ike
2016-01-01
Abstract
Our work provides strong support for the hypothesis that Sinularia flexibilis ingests diatoms such as Thalassiosira pseudonana. We assessed algal ingestion by S. flexibilis through estimates of algal removal, histological analyses, scanning electron microscopy observations, and gene expression determination (18S and silicon transporter 1) by real time PCR. Cell counts are strongly suggestive of algal removal by the coral; light and scanning microscopy provide qualitative evidence for the ingestion of T. pseudonana by S. flexibilis, while molecular markers did not prove to be sufficiently selective/specific to give clear results. We thus propose that previous instances of inability of corals to ingest algae are reconsidered using different technical approach, before concluding that coral herbivory is not a general feature.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
