Symbiotic partnership between algae and animals that powers coral reefs

藻类和动物之间的共生伙伴关系为珊瑚礁提供动力

• 批准号: DP160101539
• 负责人: Prof Geoffrey McFadden
• 金额: $ 37.11万
• 依托单位: The University of Melbourne
• 依托单位国家: 澳大利亚
• 项目类别: Discovery Projects
• 财政年份: 2016
• 资助国家: 澳大利亚
• 起止时间: 2016-01-01 至 2019-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://dataportal.arc.gov.au/RGS/Web/Grants/DP160101539
• 关键词: Symbiotic; partnership; between; algae; animals

This project aims to unlock the molecular basis of a partnership between a microscopic plant and an animal that powers coral growth. Most corals depend on microscopic algae living inside their bodies to nourish them. Most corals have to recruit new algae each time they reproduce, but only a particular strain of algae is accepted. This project aims to establish how anemones and corals identify and take in the right alga, how the alga gives them food, and how the animal hosts regulate growth of their algae to optimise food production but avoid being overrun by algae. Understanding the partnership that drives reef growth and survival may better equip us to protect this threatened resource.

该项目旨在揭开微小植物和动物之间为珊瑚生长提供动力的伙伴关系的分子基础。大多数珊瑚依靠生活在体内的微小藻类来滋养它们。大多数珊瑚在每次繁殖时都必须补充新的藻类，但只接受一种特定的藻类。该项目旨在确定海葵和珊瑚如何识别和吸收合适的藻类，海藻如何为它们提供食物，以及动物宿主如何调节藻类的生长，以优化食物生产，同时避免被藻类淹没。了解推动珊瑚礁生长和生存的伙伴关系可能会更好地装备我们保护这一受到威胁的资源。