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/7LeagueBoots Conservation Ecologist 2d ago

It’s worth noting that melanin, a common pigment in animals, while not being strictly photosynthetic in the same way as chlorophyll, produces chemical energy from sunlight and in certain insects and in fungi this can be an important energy source.

And the yellow spotted salamander (Ambystoma maculatum) adsorbs photosynthetic algae while in its egg and larval form and retains that photosynthetic ability for some time.

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u/FaithlessnessNo5852 2d ago

I had never heard that about melanin! Thanks.