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Nutritional exchange in a tropical tripartite symbiosis: direct evidence for the transfer of nutrients from anemonefish to host anemone and zooxanthellae

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Abstract

The relationship between anemones and anemonefishes is an oft-cited and endearing example of a mutualistic symbiosis. Current research on mutualistic symbioses suggests these relationships are more commonplace and have greater importance at the ecosystem level on nutrient dynamics and evolutionary processes than previously thought. Using stable isotopes 15N and 13C, both field and laboratory experiments were designed to investigate whether nutrient transfer from two species of resident anemonefishes (Amphiprion perideraion and A. clarkii) to host anemones (Heteractis crispa) occurs. Mass spectroscopy indicated that both 15N and 13C were significantly elevated in the tissues of anemonefishes and in both host anemone and zooxanthellae fractions. These experiments provide the first direct empirical evidence of nitrogen and carbon transfer from resident anemonefishes to host anemones and endosymbiotic zooxanthellae. Such transfer of elements within this intriguing tripartite association underscores the central role that nutrient dynamics contributes to the evolutionary processes of these marine symbioses.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank D. Forest, H. Jackson, C. Blair, and D. Dallis for field and laboratory assistance. We also thank H. Calumpong and the researchers and staff at Silliman University, Dumaguete, Philippines, for laboratory and logistical assistance. Financial support was provided by Sigma Delta Epsilon Graduate Women in Science (AC), the American Philosophical Society (AC), PADI A.W.A.R.E. (AC, EAV), and Maine Maritime Academy Professional Development Committee (AC, EAV). We thank our three anonymous reviewers whose constructive comments greatly enhanced the merit of this manuscript.

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  1. Corning School of Ocean Studies, Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, ME, 04420, USA

    Ann Cleveland & E. Alan Verde

  2. School of Biological Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, 99164, USA

    Raymond W. Lee

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  1. Ann Cleveland
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  2. E. Alan Verde
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Correspondence to Ann Cleveland.

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Communicated by D. Goulet.

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Cleveland, A., Verde, E.A. & Lee, R.W. Nutritional exchange in a tropical tripartite symbiosis: direct evidence for the transfer of nutrients from anemonefish to host anemone and zooxanthellae. Mar Biol 158, 589–602 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1583-5

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