Induction of Gametogenesis in the Cnidarian Endosymbiosis Model Aiptasia sp.
Endosymbiosis is widespread among cnidarians and is of high ecological relevance. The tropical sea anemone Aiptasia sp. is a laboratory model system for endosymbiosis between reef-building corals and photosynthetic dinoflagellate algae of the genus Symbiodinium. Here we identify the key environmental cues to induce reproducible spawning in Aiptasia under controlled laboratory conditions. We find that simulating a lunar cycle with blue-wavelength light is necessary to promote abundant gamete production and synchronous release in well-fed animals. Sexual reproduction rates are genetically determined and differ among clonal lines under similar conditions. We also find the inverse difference in rates of asexual reproduction. This study provides the requisite basis for further development of the Aiptasia model system, allowing analysis of basic cellular and molecular mechanisms in the laboratory as well as investigations of broad questions of ecological and evolutionary relevance.
Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Désirée
D
Grawunder
Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Elizabeth A
EA
Hambleton
Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Madeline
M
Bucher
Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.|University of Porto, Porto 4200-465, Portugal.
Iliona
I
Wolfowicz
Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Natascha
N
Bechtoldt
Centre for Organismal Studies (COS), Heidelberg University, Heidelberg 69120, Germany.
Annika
A
Guse
D000818:Animals; D057894:Coral Reefs; D004141:Dinoflagellida / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005718:Gametogenesis / Q000502:physiology*; D007814:Larva / Q000254:growth & development; D008018:Life Cycle Stages; D008027:Light; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological; D010802:Phylogeny; D012615:Sea Anemones / Q000145:classification / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D013559:Symbiosis