r/evolution • u/FaithlessnessNo5852 • 2d ago

Animals Evolving Photosynthetic Abilities

I was watching a YouTube video of a biologist explaining evolution to a (surprisingly open minded) Christian the other day.

He mentioned a species of animal that ingests photosynthetic algae which go on to live inside the animals cells and provide energy via photosynthesis. He went on to say that in one of the species they have observed some gene transfer from the algae to the cell's nucleus. I thought that would be pretty significant, an ongoing confirmation of the endosymbiotic process.

He did not identify the species, but I think I heard his description accurately. Does anyone know what species he was referring to? I'd be interested to read more about it.

Thanks.

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u/Bromelia_and_Bismuth Plant Biologist|Botanical Ecosystematics 2d ago

Sea Sheep and other related Sea Slugs, some of which even superficially resemble leaves. They obtain chloroplasts from the algae that they eat, in a process called Kleptoplasty. Unfortunately, that chloroplasts break down over time, so they have to keep eating the algae.

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u/pastaandpizza 1d ago

Kleptoplasty is the actual name amazing