Sea anemones and their algal symbionts are one of the most iconic relationships of the ocean. A recent study has shown that these two organisms are capable of exchanging genetic material, providing a fascinating look into the evolutionary origins of this unique relationship.

The research, published in Nature Communications, showed that the sea anemones and the algal symbionts have a symbiotic relationship that allows for the exchange of genetic material. The study found that the sea anemones and the algal symbionts both assimilate the genetic material from one another, allowing for a genetically diverse population of both organisms. This is the first time that such genetic exchange has been observed in this type of symbiotic relationship. The findings provide insight into the evolutionary origins of the sea anemone-algal symbiosis, and could help researchers better understand the dynamics of this unique relationship.

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source: Phys.org