Acquisition and proliferation of algal symbionts in bleached polyps of the upside-down jellyfish, Cassiopea xamachana

The mutualistic relationship between dinoflagellates in the genus Symbiodinium microadriaticum and animals in the phylum Cnidaria, specifically corals, make up one of the most well-known symbioses in the marine environment. The nature of the relationship is such that these symbiotic algae provide products of photosynthesis to their cnidarian hosts, while the algae are afforded refuge within the endodermal cells of the host. Use of the model...