Experimental set-up to investigate the phototaxis of the consortia.
The consortia accumulate in the center of the field of view that is
exposed to light (left). The accumulation remains for a while after
opening the lens aperture (right).
The epibionts are, like all known Chlorobia, not mobile; but the central cell is supposed to be mobile. It might serve as 'bus driver' of the epibiont. Amazingly, it seems that the bus driver can't detect light. So, how can it find the way to get there? Apparently, the epibionts are able to guide or to direct the blind driver to the right place. But this ability of interspecies communication has remained a mystery.
Phototrophic Consortia
