biostudies-literatureShikina SMEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of ScienceMEXT | Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS)899https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC11269664biostudies-literatureUnknown7(1)Coral polyps are composed of four tissues; however, their characteristics are largely unexplored. Here we report biological characteristics of tentacles (Te), mesenterial filaments (Me), body wall (Bo), and mouth with pharynx (MP), using comparative genomic, morpho-histological, and transcriptomic analyses of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia ancora. A draft F. ancora genome assembly of 434 Mbp was created. Morpho-histological and transcriptomic characterization of the four tissues showed that they have distinct differences in structure, primary cellular composition, and transcriptional profiles. Tissue-specific, highly expressed genes (HEGs) of Te are related to biological defense, predation, and coral-algal symbiosis. Me expresses multiple digestive enzymes, whereas Bo expresses innaCommunications biologyGenome and tissue-specific transcriptomes of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia (Euphyllia) ancora: a recipe for a coral polyp.PMC1126966420H03235, 20K21860, and 24K0184720J21301Chu YLKawamitsu MFujie MZayasu YSatoh NChen ETakeuchi TShikina SChiu YLLin TCKanda MUchida TCheng YCShinzato CYoshioka YfalseGenome and tissue-specific transcriptomes of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia (Euphyllia) ancora: a recipe for a coral polyp.Coral polyps are composed of four tissues; however, their characteristics are largely unexplored. Here we report biological characteristics of tentacles (Te), mesenterial filaments (Me), body wall (Bo), and mouth with pharynx (MP), using comparative genomic, morpho-histological, and transcriptomic analyses of the large-polyp coral, Fimbriaphyllia ancora. A draft F. ancora genome assembly of 434 Mbp was created. Morpho-histological and transcriptomic characterization of the four tissues showed that they have distinct differences in structure, primary cellular composition, and transcriptional profiles. Tissue-specific, highly expressed genes (HEGs) of Te are related to biological defense, predation, and coral-algal symbiosis. Me expresses multiple digestive enzymes, whereas Bo expresses inna2024-01-01T00:00:00Z2024 Jul2026-06-01T10:01:29.022Z2025-04-19T13:13:10.008ZS-EPMC112696643904869810.1038/s42003-024-06544-4