Fireworms are a reservoir and potential vector for coral-infecting apicomplexans

Abstract

Corals (Cnidaria; Anthozoa) play critical roles as habitat-forming species with a wide range, from warm tropical to cold deep-sea environments. Here, we characterize the eukaryome of fireworms (Hermodice carunculata), a coral predator, and explore potential transmission routes of microeukaryotes between predator and coral prey. Our results reveal a diverse microeukaryotic community associated with fireworms, including several taxa also found in corals, suggesting potential bidirectional transmission of microeukaryotes between these organisms.

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.