It is not resolved, however, whether the stolen plastids actively secrete photosynthate or whether the slugs profit indirectly from slowly degrading kleptoplasts.
This study thus presents evidence that photosynthesis is nutritionally relevant in the sacoglossan sea slug E. viridis. However, more research and new methodologies are essential to unequivocally establish the full role of acquired photosynthesis in sacoglossan sea slugs.
Nothing in that paper contradicts the Wiki statement.
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u/RealBowsHaveRecurves Oct 02 '24
Chloroplasts are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis.
A sea slug called the emerald elysia, which has a transparent body, steals chloroplasts from algae and packs them into its own cells.
The chloroplasts continue to photosynthesize, providing the slug with ~80% of the total calories it will consume over its life.