No Cover Image

E-Thesis 233 views 57 downloads

Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis / NATHAN THOMAS

Swansea University Author: NATHAN THOMAS

  • 2024_Thomas_N.final.67067.pdf

    PDF | E-Thesis – open access

    Copyright: The Author, Nathan Thomas, 2024 Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).

    Download (8.29MB)

DOI (Published version): 10.23889/SUThesis.67067

Abstract

Photosymbiosis exists in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Photosymbionts within a marine setting, utilising a photosynthetic partner, such as algae, provide photoassimilates to the host via photosynthesis. An example of this is photosymbiosis between Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the alg...

Full description

Published: Swansea University, Wales, UK 2024
Institution: Swansea University
Degree level: Doctoral
Degree name: Ph.D
Supervisor: Tang, K., W. and Cotes, C., J.
URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa67067
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
first_indexed 2024-07-11T10:17:21Z
last_indexed 2024-07-11T10:17:21Z
id cronfa67067
recordtype RisThesis
fullrecord <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?><rfc1807 xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema"><bib-version>v2</bib-version><id>67067</id><entry>2024-07-11</entry><title>Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis</title><swanseaauthors><author><sid>ea301a73007049cf191d0caf171a3b8c</sid><firstname>NATHAN</firstname><surname>THOMAS</surname><name>NATHAN THOMAS</name><active>true</active><ethesisStudent>false</ethesisStudent></author></swanseaauthors><date>2024-07-11</date><abstract>Photosymbiosis exists in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Photosymbionts within a marine setting, utilising a photosynthetic partner, such as algae, provide photoassimilates to the host via photosynthesis. An example of this is photosymbiosis between Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the alga Tetraselmis convolutae. The host (S. roscoffensis) is entirely dependent on the alga for its nutrition to the extent that the host becomes photoautotrophic. Symsagittifera roscoffensis inhabits the dynamic intertidal zone along the Atlantic coast, adapting to conditions and light availability while minimizing dispersal. As this organism is found along the Atlantic coast and has limited swimming ability, thus giving rise to an unclear intra-species genetic diversity. To enhance understanding of how environmental conditions affect the worms, in Chapter 2, I examined the impact of changing abiotic factors on the symbiont’s photosynthesis.alinity (20, 30, 40) and nutrient (f/8, f/4, f/2), showed no significant effect, while increases in temperature, light intensity and photoperiod resulted in significantly lower photosynthesis.hese data are crucial for understanding how the symbiont provides photoassimilates in an ever-changing environment and in vitro culture optimization. Chapter 3; I explored S. roscoffensis’ behaviour responses to stimuli. Aposymbiotic juveniles displayed positive chemotaxis towards algae. Adults were able to balance light exposure and dispersal risk by repeated up and down movements. Worms avoided excessive light intensity by burrowing into the substrate. Mechanical vibrations triggered a downward movement above a threshold, below the threshold worms did not respond, allowing them to remain at the surface to continue photosynthesising These behaviours enable the S. roscoffensis to optimise photosynthesis while maintains its position within the intertidal zone. In Chapter 4; I analysed field conditions at East Aberthaw, Wales for 13 months and assessed genetic diversity among populations of S. roscoffensis and its symbiont T. convolutae from Wales, France, Guernsey, Spain and Portugal. Environmental changes, primarily temperature, influenced the size of the population at the local site. Limited gene flow between populations along the Atlantic coast was encountered; suggesting little migration, allowing populations to become locally adapted. Chapter 5; I used qPCR to quantify algal cells in juvenile and adult worms. Juveniles showed little difference in the algae cell’s numbers. While adult worms contained more algal cells than previously reported in the literature. Chapter 6; I investigated S. roscoffensis as an ornamental fish feed. Nutritional analysis showed essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, and feeding trials indicated palatability for both freshwater and marine species. Aposymbiotic juveniles formed symbiosis with other Tetraselmis species, suggesting a high level of plasticity with regards to the algal symbiont. This thesis represents a substantial knowledge gain regarding onS. roscoffensis and photosymbiosis, presenting insights into host-symbiont relationships and promoting its use as a model for further study in this field.</abstract><type>E-Thesis</type><journal/><volume/><journalNumber/><paginationStart/><paginationEnd/><publisher/><placeOfPublication>Swansea University, Wales, UK</placeOfPublication><isbnPrint/><isbnElectronic/><issnPrint/><issnElectronic/><keywords>Photosymbiosis, Marine, Acoel, Mint source worm</keywords><publishedDay>3</publishedDay><publishedMonth>5</publishedMonth><publishedYear>2024</publishedYear><publishedDate>2024-05-03</publishedDate><doi>10.23889/SUThesis.67067</doi><url/><notes>A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information.</notes><college>COLLEGE NANME</college><CollegeCode>COLLEGE CODE</CollegeCode><institution>Swansea University</institution><supervisor>Tang, K., W. and Cotes, C., J.</supervisor><degreelevel>Doctoral</degreelevel><degreename>Ph.D</degreename><apcterm/><funders/><projectreference/><lastEdited>2024-07-11T11:53:47.2146865</lastEdited><Created>2024-07-11T11:05:32.6571185</Created><path><level id="1">Faculty of Science and Engineering</level><level id="2">School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences</level></path><authors><author><firstname>NATHAN</firstname><surname>THOMAS</surname><order>1</order></author></authors><documents><document><filename>67067__30877__56ff53cf53c34dcf9d74f6db144db600.pdf</filename><originalFilename>2024_Thomas_N.final.67067.pdf</originalFilename><uploaded>2024-07-11T11:16:37.4045629</uploaded><type>Output</type><contentLength>8697618</contentLength><contentType>application/pdf</contentType><version>E-Thesis – open access</version><cronfaStatus>true</cronfaStatus><documentNotes>Copyright: The Author, Nathan Thomas, 2024 Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0).</documentNotes><copyrightCorrect>true</copyrightCorrect><language>eng</language><licence>https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/</licence></document></documents><OutputDurs/></rfc1807>
spelling v2 67067 2024-07-11 Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis ea301a73007049cf191d0caf171a3b8c NATHAN THOMAS NATHAN THOMAS true false 2024-07-11 Photosymbiosis exists in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Photosymbionts within a marine setting, utilising a photosynthetic partner, such as algae, provide photoassimilates to the host via photosynthesis. An example of this is photosymbiosis between Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the alga Tetraselmis convolutae. The host (S. roscoffensis) is entirely dependent on the alga for its nutrition to the extent that the host becomes photoautotrophic. Symsagittifera roscoffensis inhabits the dynamic intertidal zone along the Atlantic coast, adapting to conditions and light availability while minimizing dispersal. As this organism is found along the Atlantic coast and has limited swimming ability, thus giving rise to an unclear intra-species genetic diversity. To enhance understanding of how environmental conditions affect the worms, in Chapter 2, I examined the impact of changing abiotic factors on the symbiont’s photosynthesis.alinity (20, 30, 40) and nutrient (f/8, f/4, f/2), showed no significant effect, while increases in temperature, light intensity and photoperiod resulted in significantly lower photosynthesis.hese data are crucial for understanding how the symbiont provides photoassimilates in an ever-changing environment and in vitro culture optimization. Chapter 3; I explored S. roscoffensis’ behaviour responses to stimuli. Aposymbiotic juveniles displayed positive chemotaxis towards algae. Adults were able to balance light exposure and dispersal risk by repeated up and down movements. Worms avoided excessive light intensity by burrowing into the substrate. Mechanical vibrations triggered a downward movement above a threshold, below the threshold worms did not respond, allowing them to remain at the surface to continue photosynthesising These behaviours enable the S. roscoffensis to optimise photosynthesis while maintains its position within the intertidal zone. In Chapter 4; I analysed field conditions at East Aberthaw, Wales for 13 months and assessed genetic diversity among populations of S. roscoffensis and its symbiont T. convolutae from Wales, France, Guernsey, Spain and Portugal. Environmental changes, primarily temperature, influenced the size of the population at the local site. Limited gene flow between populations along the Atlantic coast was encountered; suggesting little migration, allowing populations to become locally adapted. Chapter 5; I used qPCR to quantify algal cells in juvenile and adult worms. Juveniles showed little difference in the algae cell’s numbers. While adult worms contained more algal cells than previously reported in the literature. Chapter 6; I investigated S. roscoffensis as an ornamental fish feed. Nutritional analysis showed essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, and feeding trials indicated palatability for both freshwater and marine species. Aposymbiotic juveniles formed symbiosis with other Tetraselmis species, suggesting a high level of plasticity with regards to the algal symbiont. This thesis represents a substantial knowledge gain regarding onS. roscoffensis and photosymbiosis, presenting insights into host-symbiont relationships and promoting its use as a model for further study in this field. E-Thesis Swansea University, Wales, UK Photosymbiosis, Marine, Acoel, Mint source worm 3 5 2024 2024-05-03 10.23889/SUThesis.67067 A selection of content is redacted or is partially redacted from this thesis to protect sensitive and personal information. COLLEGE NANME COLLEGE CODE Swansea University Tang, K., W. and Cotes, C., J. Doctoral Ph.D 2024-07-11T11:53:47.2146865 2024-07-11T11:05:32.6571185 Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences NATHAN THOMAS 1 67067__30877__56ff53cf53c34dcf9d74f6db144db600.pdf 2024_Thomas_N.final.67067.pdf 2024-07-11T11:16:37.4045629 Output 8697618 application/pdf E-Thesis – open access true Copyright: The Author, Nathan Thomas, 2024 Distributed under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License (CC BY 4.0). true eng https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
title Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
spellingShingle Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
NATHAN THOMAS
title_short Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
title_full Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
title_fullStr Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
title_full_unstemmed Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
title_sort Basic and applied biology of the photosynthetic flatworm Symsagittifera roscoffensis
author_id_str_mv ea301a73007049cf191d0caf171a3b8c
author_id_fullname_str_mv ea301a73007049cf191d0caf171a3b8c_***_NATHAN THOMAS
author NATHAN THOMAS
author2 NATHAN THOMAS
format E-Thesis
publishDate 2024
institution Swansea University
doi_str_mv 10.23889/SUThesis.67067
college_str Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchytype
hierarchy_top_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_top_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
hierarchy_parent_id facultyofscienceandengineering
hierarchy_parent_title Faculty of Science and Engineering
department_str School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences{{{_:::_}}}Faculty of Science and Engineering{{{_:::_}}}School of Biosciences, Geography and Physics - Biosciences
document_store_str 1
active_str 0
description Photosymbiosis exists in both terrestrial and aquatic environments. Photosymbionts within a marine setting, utilising a photosynthetic partner, such as algae, provide photoassimilates to the host via photosynthesis. An example of this is photosymbiosis between Symsagittifera roscoffensis and the alga Tetraselmis convolutae. The host (S. roscoffensis) is entirely dependent on the alga for its nutrition to the extent that the host becomes photoautotrophic. Symsagittifera roscoffensis inhabits the dynamic intertidal zone along the Atlantic coast, adapting to conditions and light availability while minimizing dispersal. As this organism is found along the Atlantic coast and has limited swimming ability, thus giving rise to an unclear intra-species genetic diversity. To enhance understanding of how environmental conditions affect the worms, in Chapter 2, I examined the impact of changing abiotic factors on the symbiont’s photosynthesis.alinity (20, 30, 40) and nutrient (f/8, f/4, f/2), showed no significant effect, while increases in temperature, light intensity and photoperiod resulted in significantly lower photosynthesis.hese data are crucial for understanding how the symbiont provides photoassimilates in an ever-changing environment and in vitro culture optimization. Chapter 3; I explored S. roscoffensis’ behaviour responses to stimuli. Aposymbiotic juveniles displayed positive chemotaxis towards algae. Adults were able to balance light exposure and dispersal risk by repeated up and down movements. Worms avoided excessive light intensity by burrowing into the substrate. Mechanical vibrations triggered a downward movement above a threshold, below the threshold worms did not respond, allowing them to remain at the surface to continue photosynthesising These behaviours enable the S. roscoffensis to optimise photosynthesis while maintains its position within the intertidal zone. In Chapter 4; I analysed field conditions at East Aberthaw, Wales for 13 months and assessed genetic diversity among populations of S. roscoffensis and its symbiont T. convolutae from Wales, France, Guernsey, Spain and Portugal. Environmental changes, primarily temperature, influenced the size of the population at the local site. Limited gene flow between populations along the Atlantic coast was encountered; suggesting little migration, allowing populations to become locally adapted. Chapter 5; I used qPCR to quantify algal cells in juvenile and adult worms. Juveniles showed little difference in the algae cell’s numbers. While adult worms contained more algal cells than previously reported in the literature. Chapter 6; I investigated S. roscoffensis as an ornamental fish feed. Nutritional analysis showed essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, and feeding trials indicated palatability for both freshwater and marine species. Aposymbiotic juveniles formed symbiosis with other Tetraselmis species, suggesting a high level of plasticity with regards to the algal symbiont. This thesis represents a substantial knowledge gain regarding onS. roscoffensis and photosymbiosis, presenting insights into host-symbiont relationships and promoting its use as a model for further study in this field.
published_date 2024-05-03T11:53:46Z
_version_ 1804279718131793920
score 11.026413

Similar Items