Sea slugs' "Solar-Powered" Organisms

This is a Berghia news story, published by Phys Org, that relates primarily to Harvard news.

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Phys Org

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Some sea slugs consume algae, incorporate photosynthetic parts into their own bodies to keep producing nutrients

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Harvard study describes how sea slugs eat algae and incorporate their photosynthetic organelles into their own bodies.

The slugs consume algae but do not fully digest the chloroplasts of their prey.

Instead, the slugs divert them into intestinal sacs and encase them inside a special membrane that the scientists termed a "kleptosome" This research may lead to potential biomedical applications.

Allard is researching another group of sea slugs from the genus Berghia that consume sea anemones, pass the material through their digestive tracts, and mount the venom-coated barbs on their own backs to defend against predators.

Allard believes the findings may extend far beyond slugs to neurodegenerative conditions or lysosomal storage disorders.

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