The Starlet Sea Anemone, Nematostella vectensis, possesses body region-specific bacterial associations with spirochetes dominating the capitulum

Abstract

Sampling of different body regions can reveal highly specialized bacterial associations within the holobiont of marine invertebrates. In this study, we investigate the microbiome of the starlet sea anemone Nematostella vectensis, a widely used model organism for studying cnidarian biology. We identify distinct bacterial communities associated with different body regions and developmental stages, and characterize potential functional roles of key microbial associates.

Javier del Campo

Group Leader

My research aims at understanding the global diversity and distribution of eukaryotic and prokaryotic microbes employing curated phylogenetic frameworks focusing on novel environmental taxa.