Marine microbial symbionts - Corals

Symbiosis of the coral polyp and a dinoflagellate called zooxanthellae. Primarily consisting of the genus Symbiodinium. These zooxanthellae in combination with pigments, give the coral its colour. The zooxanthellae provide the coral with energy via photosynthesis and the coral polyp provides the zooxanthellae with an environment with high light availability, CO2 and nutrients. Up to 90% of the corals energy requirements is obtained through photosynthesis.