How can this animal do photosynthesis?

Sacogloss sea slugs, discreet residents of coral reefs, hide an amazing secret. Moreover, Unlike other animals, they can “steal” algae chloroplasts they consume and use them to make the photosynthesis. Similarly, This phenomenon has just been elucidated by a team of researchers.

A biological flight with multiple advantages – How can this animal do

The sacogloss slugs ingest the chloroplasts of the seaweed without digesting them. In addition, These organelles, normally intended to be degraded, are diverted to specialized structures. Furthermore, The researchers named the latter “kleptosomes”.

These kleptosomes act as protective shields for stolen chloroplasts. Meanwhile, They maintain their functionality by regulating their internal environment. The slugs can thus benefit from theenergy produced by photosynthesis for several month.

In times of scarcity, the kleptosomes change their role. They become nutritious reserves, gradually digesting chloroplasts. This mechanism explains why slugs green after a meal, then how can this animal do pale during famines.

A window on the evolution of species

This process recalls a key event. in living history: endosymbiosis. Billions of years ago, primitive cells integrated bacteria, giving birth to mitochondria and chloroplasts. The slugs would reproduce this phenomenon on their scale.

Unlike conventional symbiosis, this appropriation is temporary and reversible. Researchers see it as a unique model to study how organizations can merge their capacities. This discovery could shed light mechanisms in other species.

Potential applications exceed the fundamental framework. Understanding how the slugs regulate these stolen organelles could inspire advances in medicine, especially for certain lysosomal diseases.