Some have even nicknamed them "solar-powered sea snails" because like plants, these unusual animals, straddling flora and fauna, use chlorophyll photosynthesis to produce organic substances and therefore to survive.
Someone even nicknamed them "Solar powered sea snails" because like plants, these unusual animals, straddling flora and fauna, use the chlorophyll photosynthesis to produce organic substances and therefore for to survive.
To an oddity is added another that is, that this kind of green sea snails, was not born with the chlorophyll in the body but acquires it during the course of one's life by eating lots of algae.
Sea snails suck the sap from the filaments algae but, instead of digesting them like all other animals, they retain in their body i chloroplasts present in plants. Within these organelles, the process of photosynthesis takes place which allows the snails to survive feeding in some periods only thanks to the sunlight.
Elysia chlorotica
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This unusual phenomenon is known as kleptoplasty and this strange ability has earned these animals the title of "Solar powered sea snails".
Among the species is theElysia chlorotica, a green sea snail found mainly in shallow pools and streams. To admire it you have to go as far as the east coast of the United States or north of Canada. Ranging in size, from 20 to 60 millimeters, the Elysia at birth is reddish or yellowish in color but it becomes Bright green as soon as it begins to retain the chloroplasts of the algae.
Elysia chlorotica
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Green helps the sea snail too blend in and therefore escape from the possible predators, the only chance to survive since it has no protective shell. Thanks to photosynthesis, the animal can also live a whole year without hunting for food.
Costasiella Kuroshimae
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A study conducted by a team ofUniversity of Düsseldorf in Germany, Published in the Proceedings della Royal Society B. has though questioned that sea snails are actually "Solar powered". The chloroplasts of algae alone they would not allow to synthesize food, the hypothesis is then that snails would also "steal" genes, incorporating the DNA of the algae themselves.
Costasiella Kuroshimae
Photo Credit
costasiella Kuroshimae
Photo Credit
For now - reads the report - only l'Elysia it has all the characteristics that would make it "solar powered". What is certain is that the experiment has really shown that the sea snails manage to survive for a period without feeding. But the scientists remain skeptical, for them no mix between animals and plants.
Dominella Trunfio
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