Host Genotypic Effect on Algal Symbiosis Establishment in the Coral Model, the Anemone Exaiptasia diaphana, From the Great Barrier Reef

Abstract

The mutualistic symbiosis between cnidarians and photosynthetic dinoflagellates supports one of the most diverse ecosystems on the planet, coral reefs. Cnidarian-Symbiodiniaceae symbioses are broadly species-specific, but little is known about the mechanisms underpinning this specificity. Here, we explored the ability of three genotypes of the sea anemone Exaiptasia diaphana (Aiptasia) – a model organism for the cnidarian-dinoflagellate symbiosis – from the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), to take up and maintain seven different Symbiodiniaceae strains. A method to track the number of symbiont cells by quantitative microscopy of algal chlorophyll auto-fluorescence in the anemone tentacles was devel..