METABOLIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN GREEN HYDRA AND ITS SYMBIOTIC ALGAE

Abstract

Hydra that maintain algal symbionts evidenced 3 modes of metabolism depending upon the nutritional state of the host and the photoperiodic conditions under which the animals were maintained. Animals either fed or fasted but maintained in the dark exhibited an RQ of 0.725 indicating fat metabolism. When fed Artemia nauplii and maintained in the light, green hydra exhibited a mixed metabolism of carbohydrate and fat which gave an RQ of 0.862. Fasting green hydra, when maintained in the light, showed a pronounced carbohydrate metabolism typified by an RQ of 0.970. Aposymbiotic hydra, whether fed or fasted, exhibited an RQ of 0.725 indicating a high degree of fat metabolism. Symbiotic hydra fed and maintained in light demonstrated a respiration rate of 14.4 .mu.l/day per hydra; 2.5 times greater than animals (symbiotic or aposymbiotic) maintained under any other condition of fasting or photoperiod. The enhanced respiration observed in these animals is due to the metabolic activities of the symbiotic algae associated with reproduction and development. Calculations based on respiratory measurements and indirect calorimetry suggest that hydra consume .apprx. 0.0320 calories/day and that symbiotic algae may supply up to 69% of the host caloric requirements via the translocation of .apprx. 5 .mu.g of carbohydrate when the host fasts and light is provided.