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Longitudinal variation in algal symbionts (zooxanthellae) from the Indian Ocean zoanthid Palythoa caesia

Lookup NU author(s): Dr William Burnett

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Abstract

Single-celled, symbiotic, dinoflagellate algae known as zooxanthellae form associations with many shallow-water tropical marine invertebrates, Local ecological factors, particularly light levels, are known to influence algal type and distribution within hosts. Here I investigate whether biogeographic factors are similarly important in a convenient model, the zoanthid Palythoa caesia (Dana, 1846). Algal genotypes from P. caesia specimens from the eastern and western Indian Ocean were determined by restriction analysis and sequencing of the small subunit RNA gene, following PCR amplification with algal-specific primers. RFLP results indicate 2 common algal genotypes in the east, but only a single genotype in the west. Results from sequencing suggest further geographic patterning, with restricted geographic distribution of clades from the Seychelles, Sulawesi and Thailand.

Publication metadata

Author(s): Burnett WJ

Publication type: Article

Publication status: Published

Journal: Marine Ecology - Progress Series

Year: 2002

Volume: 234

Pages: 105-109

ISSN (print): 0171-8630

ISSN (electronic): 1616-1599

Publisher: Inter-Research

URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.3354/meps234105

DOI: 10.3354/meps234105

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