Re: Algal genes in Elysia crispata

May 3, 2003
From: Philip Cromwell

Note added 30 May 2006: This is most probably Elysia clarki, a new species which was previously considered a colour form of E. crispata

Bill & Skip,
This conversation seems a little vague on the point of how the genes became a part of the slugs DNA. (This is from the point of view of a hobbiest not a biologist.)

Bill seems to imply that the genomic sequence could somehow be transferred from the alga to the slug and embedded in the DNA. If this is possible, I do not know, but it seems unlikely.

For some background information, my senior project in electrical engineering was to use a reprogrammable chip as a physical "body" for a genetic algorithm to evolve certain behaviors in response to stimulus. In the literature (much of which can be found at Adrian Thompson's home page http://www.cogs.susx.ac.uk/users/adrianth/ade.html) there is a suggestion that "junk" DNA, that currently contributes little/nothing to the function of the species, can become an evolutionary path to a more advantageous configuration (genetic sequence).

To bring this back to seaslugs, a population of slugs that is already using chloroplasts, would need to go through the same mutations, and have enough viable offspring to carry the new genetic sequence forward. This would be a "luck of the draw" situation, but certainly possible. Once obtained, however, this ability would certainly give its species great advantages over those without it. So, if direct transfer of the genetic sequence from alga to slug were possible, this would probably need to be done in each new slug. If it is just an evolutionary modification to the DNA, this sequence would be automatically transferred to the offspring.

If I'm way off base here, let me know.
Thanks,
Phil

chiron42@msn.com

Cromwell, P., 2003 (May 3) Re: Algal genes in Elysia crispata. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9844

Thanks Phil,
No you are not way off base at all. I am sure Skip can give a better answer than I, and in fact his second message answers part of it. An excellent summary paper on this topic - which finishes with a paragraph on lateral gene transfer - is worth getting hold of.

• Mary E. Rumpho, Elizabeth J. Summer, and James R. Manhart (2000) Solar-Powered Sea Slugs. Mollusc/Algal Chloroplast Symbiosis. Plant Physiology, 123: 29-38.

Have a look at Liz Summer's earlier message about the paper.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (May 3). Comment on Re: Algal genes in Elysia crispata by Philip Cromwell. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9844

Factsheet

Elysia clarki

Related messages

  1. Relationship of Elysia diomedea and E. crispata
    From: Patrick Krug, October 6, 2008
  2. Elysia clarki feeding practices
    From: Adam D'Agosto, December 6, 2007
  3. Elysia clarki and E. crispata in Florida
    From: Skip Pierce, October 10, 2007
  4. Re: Elysia crispata in Cozumel, Mexico
    From: Skip Pierce, February 2, 2007
  5. Re: Elysia crispata in Cozumel, Mexico
    From: Jim Lyle, February 2, 2007
  6. Re: Elysia crispata in Cozumel, Mexico
    From: Sean Kearney, February 2, 2007
  7. Re: Elysia crispata in Cozumel, Mexico
    From: Skip Pierce, February 1, 2007
  8. Elysia crispata in Cozumel, Mexico
    From: Sean Kearney, January 29, 2007
  9. Elysia clarki feeding references
    From: Nicholas Curtis, January 29, 2007
  10. Re: What's wrong with Elysia clarki?
    From: Colin Redfern, September 9, 2006
  11. Re: What's wrong with Elysia clarki?
    From: Colin Redfern, September 9, 2006
  12. Re: What's wrong with Elysia clarki?
    From: Skip Pierce, September 8, 2006
  13. Re: What's wrong with Elysia clarki?
    From: Angel Valdes, September 7, 2006
  14. Re: What's wrong with Elysia clarki?
    From: Skip Pierce, September 1, 2006
  15. Re: Damaged Elysia crispata
    From: Nick Curtis, August 31, 2006
  16. What's wrong with Elysia clarki?
    From: Bill Rudman, August 30, 2006
  17. Elysia diomedea & E. clarki in home aquarium?
    From: Matt Pedersen, May 30, 2006
  18. Elysia clarki breeding in the home aquarium
    From: Matt Pedersen, May 30, 2006
  19. Elysia clarki, E. diomedea and E. crispata
    From: Bill Rudman, May 30, 2006
  20. A new Elysia from Florida
    From: Bill Rudman, May 30, 2006
  21. Lettuce Sea Slug behavior and feeding
    From: Patrick Glenn, April 13, 2006
  22. What to feed Elysia crispata?
    From: Alexandra Ahnide, April 11, 2006
  23. Elysia crispata feeding and babies
    From: Willem Bermel, January 31, 2006
  24. Re: Colour in Elysia (again)
    From: Anne DuPont, November 7, 2005
  25. Re: Lettuce sea slug - breeding success
    From: Vincent, June 27, 2003
  26. Lettuce sea slug - breeding success
    From: Rick Hahn, May 31, 2003
  27. Re: Gene transfer - Elysia crispata
    From: Skip Pierce, May 5, 2003
  28. Re: Elysia crispata and algal genes
    From: Skip Pierce, May 3, 2003
  29. Algal genes in Elysia crispata
    From: Skip Pierce, May 2, 2003
  30. Elysia crispata babies
    From: Joe Bongiorno, December 30, 2002
  31. Re: Baby slugs!
    From: Joe Bongiorno, December 18, 2002
  32. Re: Baby slugs!
    From: Joe Bongiorno, December 10, 2002
  33. Bifid rhinophores in Elysia crispata
    From: Anna L. Bass, September 12, 2002
  34. Elysia crispata? in aquaria
    From: Ash, April 1, 2002
  35. Re: Baby slugs! - Elysia crispata
    From: Jeff Zimmerman, June 4, 2001
  36. Re: Baby slugs! - Elysia crispata
    From: Jeff Zimmerman, March 22, 2001
  37. Baby slugs!
    From: Jeff Zimmerman, March 17, 2001

Show factsheet and all related messages