Classification And Initial Characterization Of Symbiotic Chlorella Sp. Isolated From The Freshwater Sponge, Ephydatia Muelleri

Abstract

A population of archeocytes was isolated from the freshwater sponge, Ephydatia muelleri, using a Ficoll gradient. From these archeocytes an endozoic Chlorella sp. was removed and cultured. The cultured Chlorella sp. were then used to investigate the uptake of symbiotes by E. muelleri. The cultured algae were added to germinated gemmules. The outgrowth from the gemmules was then examined for algae uptake by the sponge cells using brightfield and phase contrast photomicroscopy. The results were inconclusive because algal symbiotes inhabited sponge cells of both the experimental group (the sponges exposed to the algae culture) and the control group (the sponges not exposed to algae culture).