The Hydractinia cell atlas reveals cellular and molecular principles of cnidarian coloniality

We used scRNA-seq to profile 199113 single cell transcriptomes of Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus, a highly regenerative colonial cnidarian. We characterized all major cell types, their transcription factors and gene networks, and analysed the basic mechanisms of coloniality in cnidarians. Tissue (polyps or stolons) were isolated from a whole colony of male clone 291-10 by cutting. Samples were simultaneously fixed and dissociated using ACME. Colony parts are identified based on library and Round 1 barcode.