Iridocytes, Giant Clams, and Their Photosynthetic Symbionts

[rgulrich]

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

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

 

[Lasse]

Thanks a lot

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Phycodurus]

i’m geeking out over this article!

quiz on friday??? ;Bookworm

thanks for posting!