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A predatory gastrula leads to symbiosis-independent settlement in Aiptasia

The planula larvae of the sea anemone Aiptasia have so far not been reported to complete their life cycle by undergoing metamorphosis into adult forms. This has been a major obstacle in their use as a model for coral-dinoflagellate endosymbiosis. Here, we show that Aiptasia larvae actively feed on c...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Mägele, Ira (Author) , Rupp, Sebastian (Author) , Özbek, Suat (Author) , Guse, Annika (Author) , Hambleton, Elizabeth A. (Author) , Holstein, Thomas W. (Author)
Format: Article (Journal)
Language:English
Published: September 25, 2023
In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Year: 2023, Volume: 120, Issue: 40, Pages: 1-3
ISSN:1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2311872120
Online Access:Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2311872120
Verlag, lizenzpflichtig, Volltext: https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2311872120
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Author Notes:Ira Maegele, Sebastian Rupp, Suat Özbek, Annika Guse, Elizabeth A. Hambleton, Thomas W. Holstein
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Summary:The planula larvae of the sea anemone Aiptasia have so far not been reported to complete their life cycle by undergoing metamorphosis into adult forms. This has been a major obstacle in their use as a model for coral-dinoflagellate endosymbiosis. Here, we show that Aiptasia larvae actively feed on crustacean nauplii, displaying a preference for live prey. This feeding behavior relies on functional stinging cells, indicative of complex neuronal control. Regular feeding leads to significant size increase, morphological changes, and efficient settlement around 14 d postfertilization. Surprisingly, the presence of dinoflagellate endosymbionts does not affect larval growth or settlement dynamics but is crucial for sexual reproduction. Our findings finally close Aiptasia’s life cycle and highlight the functional nature of its larvae, as in Haeckel’s Gastrea postulate, yet reveal its active carnivory, thus contributing to our understanding of early metazoan evolution.
Item Description:Gesehen am 15.11.2023
Physical Description:Online Resource
ISSN:1091-6490
DOI:10.1073/pnas.2311872120

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