ESTIMATING CONTRIBUTION OF ZOOXANTHELLAE TO ANIMAL RESPIRATION (CZAR) AND TO ANIMAL GROWTH (CZAG) OF GIANT CLAM Tridacna maxima

Abstract

Zooxanthellae are symbiotic dinoflagellate algae which live in association with marine invertebrates including giant clams. These algae are capable of translocating part of their photosynthetic products to the host. This translocation is one of the nutrition sources of the host. The present study aims to calculate the contribution of zooxanthellae on the energy requirements of adult giant clam (Tridacna maxima) during their respiration and growth processes. The result showed that zooxanthellae are capable of contributing 260.67% and 452.54% energy required by giant clams for respiration and growth during summer and 171.51% and 273.51 % during winter, respectively. It suggests that all the energy required for these two processes can be supplied by zooxanthellae.