Elysia chlorotica - photosynthetic sea slug movie 2

[eBiology]

This is a beautiful example of how endosymbiosis (at least one phase) is a precursor to the evolution of multicellular organisms from unicellular organisms.

[0redthunder0]

I want one as a pet :P

[Dorskfr]

I WANT TO EAT THAT ALGEA

[llGemini]

Evolution at its very Best!

[LanesAccount]

its life must get kinda boring after it gets enough chloroplasts into its gut.. just chills like a leaf in the sun.. wat kind of new technology could this spawn in the future?"

[osirisstar]

Really changes the meaning of "you are what you eat". Evolution by digestion is something that makes sense epigenetically but permanent gene transfers is incredible.

[Intricate9041]

@osirisstar It doesn't take over the genes of the chloroplasts does it? It just incorporates them into it's own body much like we incorporated mitochondria in our cells millions of years ago (the small cell organs that help us with the production of energy out of cellulose). The DNA of the mitochondria still differs from ours if I'm not mistaken (cross-referencing my rambling is advisable ;))

Anyway, it's still an amazing example of symbiosis on a cellular level

[pulgamatona]

@Intricate9041

A gene needed for the photosintesis (psbO) has been found on Elysia chlorotica's genome. That may be proof of the early stages of evolutive endocitosis as well as the reason why those cloroplasts can stay "alive" inside the slug.

[tiarefl]

¡ Fascinante animal-planta !

[trekmogui]

That is just amazing!

How does Evolution explain it?

so cool!

Hope Dawkins talk about it later!

[HSK2133]

that is an amazing creature.

Tom