DORNER, M.A.*; COFFROTH, M.A.; MAY, G.E.; University at Buffalo, NY; University at Buffalo, NY; University of Wisconsin, Madison: Possible sources for symbiont variation within the genus Aiptasia over time and space

Sea anemones within the genus Aiptasia are distributed worldwide and typically harbor symbiotic dinoflagellates. Aiptasia collected from Japan (A. pulchella), Hawaii (A. pulchella), Eilat (A. pulchella), Bermuda (A. pallida), and Puerto Rico (A. pallida) all harbored zooxanthellae belonging to Symbiodinium clade B, as determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism of nuclear small subunit (n18S)-rDNA. In contrast, A. pallida from the Florida Keys usually host Symbiodinium belonging to clade A. Samples taken from Florida during winter months have revealed some individuals which possess Symbiodinium from both clades A and B. Two hypotheses are proposed to explain these observations: (1) The cladal variation observed among the Florida Keys Aiptasia sp. is a response to environmental variation. (2) The Aiptasia sp. found in the Florida Keys are a different species than those found in other areas sampled. We are monitoring symbiont type within Floridian Aiptasia that have been collected monthly from two in situ sites in the Florida Keys. Preliminary results of monthly sampling indicate no change in the symbiont harbored by Aiptasia sp. in situ; however, Aiptasia sp. maintained in an experimental tank, harbored A, B, or A and B Symbiodinium.