Index >> Population Interactions >> Animal-Microbe Interactions

Intestinal symbionts may be commensals or benefit the animal through vitamin production and protection against pathogens. The endozoic algae of coral polyps and other invertebrates supply a major part of the animal’s nutritional needs through their photosynthetic activity. Associations with chemoautotrophic bacteria in deep-sea thermal vent environment allow invertebrates to live on geothermal energy independent of photosynthetically produced organic carbon. In a less common mutualistic relationship, endosymbiotic bacteria produce light for some marine invertebrates and fish.