Zooxanthellae are photosynthetic organisms, which contain chlorophyll a and chlorophyll c, as well as the dinoflagellate pigments peridinin and diadinoxanthin. These provide the yellowish and brownish colours typical of many of the host species.[2] During the day, they provide their host with the organic carbon products of photosynthesis, sometimes providing up to 90% of their host's energy needs for metabolism, growth and reproduction. In return, they receive nutrients, carbon dioxide, and an elevated position with access to sunshine.[7][8]
^Brandt, K. (1881). "Über das Zusammenleben von Thieren und Algen" [About the coexistence of animals and algae]. Archiv für Anatomie und Physiologie / Physiologische Abteilung (in German). 1881: 570–574.
^Gottschling, M.; McLean, T.I. (2013). "New home for tiny symbionts: Dinophytes determined as Zooxanthella are Peridiniales and distantly related to Symbiodinium". Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 67 (1): 217–222. doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2013.01.003. PMID23333735.
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