The Prochloron symbiosis

Colonies of L. patella were collected from inshore water adjacent to small islets near Babelthaup Island, Republic of Palau, for the purpose of studying Prochloron symbionts. Examination of the algal symbionts after fixing, dehydrating, and embedment in Epon, showed Prochloron's central body to consist of a granular ground substance with a few electron-dense inclusions and to be enclosed by prominent photosynthetic membranes. Also found around the central body were thylakoids in a concentric pattern. After comparing the results with those of former studies, it was suggested that Prochloron morphology is host specific. Finally the network of host tissue extensions that entraps the symbionts was noted as possibly being a site for metabolic exchange.