biostudies-literatureMacVittie SNational Science Foundation (NSF)NIH HHSNational Science Foundatione0134223https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11237641biostudies-literatureUnknown9(6)Microbial species that comprise host-associated microbiomes play an essential role in maintaining and mediating the health of plants and animals. While defining the role of individual or even complex communities is important toward quantifying the effect of the microbiome on host health, it is often challenging to develop causal studies that link microbial populations to changes in host fitness. Here, we investigated the impacts of reduced microbial load following antibiotic exposure on the fitness of the anemone, <i>Exaiptasia diaphana</i> and subsequent recovery of the host's microbiome. Anemones were exposed to two different types of antibiotic solutions for 3 weeks and subsequently held in sterilized seawater for a 3-week recovery period. Our results revealed that both antibiotic treatmSystemsMicrobiome depletion and recovery in the sea anemone, <i>Exaiptasia diaphana</i>, following antibiotic exposure.PMC11237641S10 OD0107862217769Sogin MAlberto AMacVittie SDoroodian SfalseMicrobiome depletion and recovery in the sea anemone, <i>Exaiptasia diaphana</i>, following antibiotic exposure.Microbial species that comprise host-associated microbiomes play an essential role in maintaining and mediating the health of plants and animals. While defining the role of individual or even complex communities is important toward quantifying the effect of the microbiome on host health, it is often challenging to develop causal studies that link microbial populations to changes in host fitness. Here, we investigated the impacts of reduced microbial load following antibiotic exposure on the fitness of the anemone, <i>Exaiptasia diaphana</i> and subsequent recovery of the host's microbiome. Anemones were exposed to two different types of antibiotic solutions for 3 weeks and subsequently held in sterilized seawater for a 3-week recovery period. Our results revealed that both antibiotic treat2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jun2025-04-05T15:48:33.017Z2025-04-05T15:48:33.017ZS-EPMC112376413875796310.1128/msystems.01342-23