In a coastal lagoon of Dravuni Island, Fiji, at least six species of compound ascidians, some of them harboringProchloronas symbiotic algae, were found in aSyringodium-dominated seagrass meadow. Based on their heterotrophic (filrer feeding rates) and autotrophic (photosynthetic) activities, carbon gain of the ascidians was categorized into two groups: (i) supported by heterotrophic metabolism; and (ii) supported by both heterotrophic and autotrophic metabolisms.Didemnum molle, Lissoclinum bistratumandLissolinum voeltzkowibelong to the latter group, and the relative contribution of the autotrophic process was a significant portion of their carbon gain (52–74). These symbiotic ascidians were found in light microhabitats, while the heterotrophic species occupied shady environments rich in suspended organic materials, such as the sheath surface of the seagras
展开▼
