Meeting Abstract
55.1 Tuesday, Jan. 6 Role of Parental Control in the Symbiotic Relationship Between Melanochlamys diomedea Egg Masses and Photosynthetic Algae KACENAS, S.E.*; PODOLSKY, R.D.; College of Charleston; College of Charleston sklunsfo@edisto.cofc.edu
The intertidal zone is a uniquely stressful marine environment characterized by abrupt changes in salinity, high risk of desiccation, daily thermal extrema, and varying exposure to UV radiation. To counter these stresses, intertidal species often possess adaptations that serve to concomitantly dampen the effects of stress and increase overall survival probability. Encapsulation, one method by which intertidal organisms buffer their developing embryos from environmental stress, can result in hypoxia-induced delayed embryo development at the center of the egg mass. Symbiosis between egg masses and photosynthetic algae is a well-documented solution to this oxygen limitation dilemma, however little research has been conducted to investigate possible parental influence over the type and extent of this relationship. This research aimed to investigate 1) if differences in photosymbiont colonization between populations of Melanochlamys diomedea Bergh egg masses exist, and 2) if possible inherent differences in egg mass composition may be fueling these differences in photosymbiont density. Results indicate that photosymbiont density is dependant upon collection location and the age of the egg mass. In addition, data collected from a transplantation experiment indicate that the location from which an adult M. diomedea was initially collected more completely explains variations in photosymbiont density as opposed to the location into which the masses were transplanted. These results suggest the occurrence of transgenerational plasticity, a response by M. diomedea adults to environmental influence resulting in parental control over the biochemical composition of egg masses, as opposed to direct plasticity by encapsulated embryos in response to environmental stress.
