Photobiology of the symbiotic acoel flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis: algal symbiont photoacclimation and host photobehaviour

Abstract

The symbiotic association between the acoel flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the prasinophyte microalgae Tetraselmis convolutae was studied regarding its photophysiology and photobehaviour. The photoacclimation status and the photophysiological responses to high light of the algal endosymbiont were studied non-destructively on individual S. roscoffensis using pulse amplitude modulated fluorometry. Specimens collected in an intertidal sandy shore were characterized regarding the maximum quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII), Fv/Fm, and the light response of photosynthetic activity, by constructing rapid light-response curves of the relative electron transport rate of PSII, rETR. The studied population could be consideredashighlight-acclimatedwhencomparedwithotherintertidalphotosyntheticorganisms(e.g.macroalgae),withthe light-saturation parameter Ek averaging 250 m mol m22 s21. Light stress experiments showed S. roscoffensis to be able to withstand the exposure to high light without displaying signs of photoinhibition, suggesting the operation of efficient physiological photoprotective processes. The photobehaviour of S. roscoffensis was studied by characterizing the distribution of the flatworms under a light gradient, using a custom-made photoaccumulation chamber. The results showed a photoaccumulation pattern evidencing a clear avoidance of extreme low or high light levels, and with maximum photoaccumulation values being found for a range of irradiances (150–400 m mol m22 s21) that generally coincided with the optima for photosynthetic activity. This matching between the optimum light levels for photosynthetic activity and photoaccumulation suggested that S. roscoffensis may use vertical migration as a form of behavioural photoprotection. This behavioural response may be used to rapidly and flexibly control light exposure, avoiding photodamage to the endosymbiont photosynthetic apparatus by direct exposure to sunlight.