Zooxanthellae (plural, pronounced are flagellate protozoa that are golden-brown intracellular endosymbionts of various marine animals and protozoa, especially anthozoans such as the scleractinian corals and the tropical sea anemone, Aiptasia.
Zooxanthella live in other protozoa (foraminiferans and radiolarians) and in some invertebrates. Most are autotrophs and provide the host with energy in the form of translocated reduced carbon compounds, such as glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis .Zooxanthellae can provide up to 90% of a coral’s energy requirements.In return, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with protection, shelter, nutrients (mostly waste material containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and a constant supply of carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis. Available nutrients, incident light, and expulsion of excess cells limits their population.
Hermatypic (reef-building) corals largely depend on zooxanthellae, which limits that coral's growth to the photic zone. The symbiotic relationship enables corals' success as reef-building organisms in tropical waters. However, under high environmental stress, corals die after losing their zooxanthellae either by expulsion or digestion.
Zooxanthella live in other protozoa (foraminiferans and radiolarians) and in some invertebrates. Most are autotrophs and provide the host with energy in the form of translocated reduced carbon compounds, such as glucose, glycerol, and amino acids, which are the products of photosynthesis .Zooxanthellae can provide up to 90% of a coral’s energy requirements.In return, the coral provides the zooxanthellae with protection, shelter, nutrients (mostly waste material containing nitrogen and phosphorus) and a constant supply of carbon dioxide required for photosynthesis. Available nutrients, incident light, and expulsion of excess cells limits their population.
Hermatypic (reef-building) corals largely depend on zooxanthellae, which limits that coral's growth to the photic zone. The symbiotic relationship enables corals' success as reef-building organisms in tropical waters. However, under high environmental stress, corals die after losing their zooxanthellae either by expulsion or digestion.
