Sea anemone and clownfish microbiota diversity and variation during the initial steps of symbiosis.

ABSTRACT: Clownfishes and sea anemones form an intriguing long-term association, but the mechanism underlying this symbiosis is not well understood. Since clownfishes seem to cover themselves with sea anemone mucus, we investigated the microbiomes of the two partners to search for possible shifts in their compositions. We used a 16S rRNA gene sequencing strategy to study the dynamics of the microbiota during the association between the clownfish Amphiprion ocellaris and its host Heteractis magnifica under laboratory conditions. The experiment conducted in aquaria revealed that both clownfish and sea anemone mucus had specific signatures compared to artificial sea water. The microbiomes of both species were highly dynamic during the initiation of the symbiosis and for up to seven days after contact.

SUBMITTER: Roux N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6925283 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature