UNASSIGNED: The scyphozoan @entity15879 is recognized as a key player in marine ecosystems, and a driver of ecosystem change. It is thus intensely studied to address ecological questions, although its associations with microorganisms remain so far undescribed. In the present study, the microbiota associated with A. aurita was visualized with fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis and community structure was analyzed with respect to different life stages, compartments and populations of A. aurita by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. We demonstrate that the composition of A. aurita microbiota is generally highly distinct from the communities present in ambient water. Comparing microbial communities of different developmental stages reveals evidence for life stage-specific community patterns. Significant restructuring of the microbiota during strobilation from benthic polyp to planktonic life stages is present, arguing for a restructuring during the course of metamorphosis. Further, the microbiota present in different compartments of the adult medusa (exumbrella mucus, @entity356 ), display significant differences, indicating body part-specific colonization. A novel @entity6475 was identified in both compartment-specific microbiotas and is most likely present inside the epithelium as indicated by FISH analysis of @entity1127 , indicating a potential endosymbiosis. Lastly, comparing @entity1127 of different populations kept under the same controlled laboratory conditions in the same ambient water showed population specific community patterns, most likely due the genetic background of the host. In conclusion, the presented data indicate that the associated microbiota of A. aurita may play important functional roles, e.g. during the life cycle.

Changing company: Composition of bacterial communities associated with XXXX changes with compartment, life stage and population.

@entity6475 :: ('MESH:D013180', 'Disease') :: ['Mycoplasma strain'] @entity15879 :: ('6145', 'Species') :: ['Aurelia aurita'] @entity356 :: ('MESH:D013274', 'Disease') :: ['gastric cavity'] @entity1127 :: ('MESH:D011127', 'Disease') :: ['polyps']
@entity15879 :: (6145,Species) :: ['Aurelia aurita']
