The complete mitochondrial genome of the photosymbiotic sea slug (Valdés, 2005) (Gastropoda, Nudibranchia).

(Nudibranchia, Cladobranchia) is a photosymbiotic sea slug that feeds exclusively on sea anemones from the genus . It then specifically incorporates dinoflagellates belonging to the Symbiodiniaceae obtained from their prey. Here, we present the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of combining Oxford Nanopore long read and Illumina short-read sequencing data.

Identification of scavenger receptors and thrombospondin-type-1 repeat proteins potentially relevant for plastid recognition in Sacoglossa.

Functional kleptoplasty is a photosymbiotic relationship, in which photosynthetically active chloroplasts serve as an intracellular symbiont for a heterotrophic host. Among Metazoa, functional kleptoplasty is only found in marine sea slugs belonging to the Sacoglossa and recently described in Rhabdocoela worms. Although functional kleptoplasty has been intensively studied in Sacoglossa, the fundamentals of the specific recognition of the chloroplasts and their subsequent incorporation are unknown.

Polymorphic adaptations in metazoans to establish and maintain photosymbioses.

Mutualistic symbioses are common throughout the animal kingdom. Rather unusual is a form of symbiosis, photosymbiosis, where animals are symbiotic with photoautotrophic organisms. Photosymbiosis is found among sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, molluscs, ascidians and even some amphibians.