Literature Review: Physiological benefits and latent effects of an algal-salamander symbiosis

The article I will be discussing, obviously going from the title of this post, is called "Physiological benefits and latent effects of an algal-salamander symbiosis". The goal of this article was to examine mutualistic relationship between the salamander Ambystoma maculatum and the algae Oophila amblystomatis. This relationship has involved in this manner because the salamander eggs are in need of an oxygen source during its larval stages. This species of algae grows within the egg, photosynthesizing and creating oxygen for the developing embryo while it feeds off of the "nitrogenous waste" that the embryo produces. It has already been proven that larvae with this species of algae present in its development grow larger and have a better rate of survival than those grown without, so the specific purpose of this experiment was to explore the scope of this difference as well effects on the their bodies after hatching.

In the experiment, eggs were exposed to various amounts of sunlight meant to stimulate the growth of the algae at different rates. Essentially, those receiving no sunlight did not grow algae and therefore did not benefit from the symbiotic relationship while this exposed for 24 hours a day experienced the greatest effect. Those exposed to the least amount of sunlight were the shortest of all thee treatments. There was also a difference in oxygen consumption between the three treatments as well, however this was not statistically significant. Another interesting find in this experiment was that, after hatching, those that were exposed to the 0 hour light conditions ended up with a lower wet mass than those reared under zero light and light for half of the day. Furthermore, they had lower metabolic rates, were smaller, and died quicker when food was withheld from them. This means that too much oxygen during larval stages negatively affects the salamanders after hatching. Those without the symbiotic relationship had a higher survival rate after hatching if they could survive the larval period. 

I think this type of work is interesting because it's not something we've seen in this this course. Symbiosis can take on all sorts of different conditions. It furthermore shows that too much of what would appear to be a good thing can have negative effects on the lives of these salamanders down the road. When faced with adversity early on, the young salamanders were able to fight back and thrive just as much as those with more of an advantage over them from the start. It shows a lot about the value of perseverance and pushing through difficulties. 

https://www-sciencedirect-com.nuncio.cofc.edu/science/article/pii/S1095643320300672

Small, Daniel P., and Cory D. Bishop. “Physiological Benefits and Latent Effects of an Algal-Salamander Symbiosis.” Comparative Biochemistry and Physiology Part A: Molecular & Integrative Physiology, 19 Apr. 2020, p. 110715., doi:10.1016/j.cbpa.2020.110715.