While referenced in a few online articles, here's a bit more direct reference (Frontiers in Marine Science) to research on tridacnid use of iridocytes, with some possible inference on the "necessity" of UV radiation in our (hobbyist) applications.
Iridocytes Mediate Photonic Cooperation Between Giant Clams (Tridacninae) and Their Photosynthetic Symbionts
Susann Rossbach, Ram Chandra Subedi, Tien Khee Ng, Boon S. Ooi, and Carlos M. Duarte
Makes for a pretty quick and interesting read.
Cheers,
Ray
Iridocytes Mediate Photonic Cooperation Between Giant Clams (Tridacninae) and Their Photosynthetic Symbionts
Susann Rossbach, Ram Chandra Subedi, Tien Khee Ng, Boon S. Ooi, and Carlos M. Duarte
Iridocytes Mediate Photonic Cooperation Between Giant Clams (Tridacninae) and Their Photosynthetic Symbionts
Iridocytes, containing multiple stacks of proteinaceous platelets and crystalized guanine, alternating with thin cytoplasm sheets, are specialized cells that act as multilayer nano-reflectors. Convergence evolution led to their arising across a broad range of organisms, including giant clams of...
www.frontiersin.org
Makes for a pretty quick and interesting read.
Cheers,
Ray