Glycerol Excretion by Symbiotic Algae from Corals and <i>Tridacna</i> and Its Control by the Host

Abstract

Zooxanthellae isolated from reef corals and Tridacna crocea incorporate labeled carbon dioxide photosynthetically. In the presence of some component of the host tissue, up to 40 percent of the labeled algal photosynthate is liberated primarily as glycerol. Excretion of glycerol by the algae in situ and its control and utilization by the host may represent a mechanism by which zooxanthellae contribute to produtctivity of coral reefs.