TABLE 1 .
Summary of the main events and time scales traced in this study
| Symbiotic partner | Major event traced | Time scale |
|---|---|---|
| Dinoflagellates | Photosynthesis-dependent assimilation of bicarbonate and nitrate | 15 min |
| C allocation to C reserves (lipid droplets and starch) | 15 min | |
| C turnover in C reserves related to diurnal light cycle | ~80% 13C depletion in 18 h | |
| C and N turnover in other compartments | ~60% 13C and 15N depletion in 186 h | |
| Coral | C translocation by dinoflagellates | 15 min |
| N translocation by dinoflagellates | 3 h | |
| Allocation of translocated C to lipid droplets (oral gastroderm) | 15 min | |
| Allocation of translocated C to glycogen (oral epiderm) | 6 h | |
| C turnover in lipid droplets (oral gastroderm) | >90% 13C depletion in 186 h | |
| C turnover in glycogen (oral epiderm) | ~85% 13C depletion in 186 h |