Mitotic Index of Algal Symbion Zooxanthellae on Giant Carpet Anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea) Resulted from Asexual Reproduction

Zooxanthellae are symbiotic algal that form mutualism relation in endodermis tissue of sea anemone. The dynamics of zooxanthellae algae are well known in the anemone sexual reproduction, but otherwise the asexual reproduction. The aims of the research was to determine the rate of zooxanthellae cells bisection that have the symbiosis with The giant carpet anemone (Stichodactyla gigantea, Forskal 1775) which is resulted from asexual reproduction with the technique of fragmentation. Research was conducted from October 2010 to July 2011 in area of coral reef, Teluk Tamiang, South Kalimantan Province. The examination variable was mitotic index of zooxanthellae symbiont of sea anemone. Zooxanthellae from sea anemone that was resulted from asexual reproduction and sea anemone from the nature were cultured for ten months in the natural waters. The result showed that the rate of zooxanthellae cells division (mitotic index) have a significant difference between anemone which were resulted from asexual reproduction and sea anemone from the nature. The higher mitotic index was found at the sea anemone from the nature compared with those from asexual reproduction. The mitotic index was relatively similar between locations of culture.