The unicellular, acido- and thermophilic red alga Galdieria sulphuraria is unique in its ability to grow heterotrophically on at least 27 different sugars and polyols. The enzymatic machinery necessary for metabolizing this variety of compounds is constitutively expressed in the alga. The uptake system, however, has to be induced. From in vivo studies we conclude that the uptake system consists of several transporters with a partly overlapping substrate specificity. These transporters can be grouped into hexose, polyol and pentose transporters. The mode of induction depends on the substrate supplied for heterotrophic growth. When autotrophic cells were supplied with hexoses, hexose and polyol transporters were induced from the onset of heterotrophic conditions. Depletion of substrate in the medium triggered the induction of other transporters. Dulcitol, as well as other polyols and pentoses, led to a co-induction of all transporters as judged from induction and competition experiments. The heterotrophic capabilities of Galdieria are intriguing, because the natural habitat of the alga contains only traces of organic carbon. The substrates for heterotrophic growth apparently originate from decaying cells releasing hydrolysed cell material. Trace amounts of glucose were sufficient for the induction of sugar uptake in Galdieria. The co-induction of transporters obviously enables the cells in endolithic mats to import a wide spectrum of organic carbon in order to survive periods of light limitation.