Effects of Norflurazon and UV Radiation on Symbiotic and Free-Living Hydra

In this study, we aimed to document the freshwater symbiotic interactions along with the impact of the abiotic environment and anthropogenic effects on the functionality of freshwater organisms. Symbiotic green hydra (Z) and free-living brown hydra (S), either separately or both species together, were treated with the herbicide norflurazon in concentrations of 2 × 10⁻⁶ mol/L (N6) and 2 × 10⁻⁷ mol/L (N7) for 72 h. Also, hydras were treated with both norflurazon and UV radiation at a wavelength of 254 nm for 2 min or were irradiated only. The next part of the experiment was performed in the same way but with added suspensions of isolated endosymbiotic alga, free-living alga, or both algae together. Mortality, migration, tentacle and tissue damage, changes in the thickness of the mesoglea of hydras, and clustering of algae were monitored. Green hydra generally showed lower rates of migration, and mortality was observed only in green hydra exposed to UV radiation. Tentacle damage was more pronounced in green hydra and included a specific fork-like structure. The use of cryofixation and TEM enabled us to partly elucidate the effect of clustering of algae. In summary, our study provides new insights into the influence of different environmental stressors and their combination on symbiotic and free-living freshwater hydras and algae and a better understanding of interactions in freshwater ecosystems.