TL;DR: Experimental evidence of the transfer of 3 H-labelled metabolites from the sponge Ianthella basta Pallas to the epibiont holothuroid Synaptula lamperti Semper demonstrates that the holothurid gains nutritional advantage from the association by ingesting and assimilating exudates of the sponge.
TL;DR: For the first time, Prochloron cells were found associated with an animal other than a colonial ascidian, namely, a synaptid holothurian, Snaptula lamperti as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: It is reported that, for the first time, Prochloron cells were found associated with an animal other than a colonial ascidian-namely, a synaptid holothurian, Snaptula lamperti. This occurance brings into question the supposedly obligate nature of the association of this problematic algae with didemnids and their allies.