The aggregating sea anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima) gastrovascular cavity microbiome metagenomics and effects of reduced seawater pH (ocean acidification) on microbial functional profile

The temperate symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima is a model for studying some aspects of cnidarian biology. These anemones are found as prominent members of the intertidal ecosystem on the west coast of North America where some of the most drastic changes in the environment and seawater chemistry occur in natural cycles. Anthopleura can join in symbiosis with two different algal symbionts, Breviolum muscatinei and Elliptochloris marina based on temperature and light. In addition, these anemones can be kept without algal symbionts indefinitely, providing the opportunity to study the animal on its own. These attributes make A. elegantissima an excellent system to explore how environmental change will affect the holobiont: anemone host, algal symbionts, and microbial complement, the microbiome. Organisms living in the intertidal ecosystem are well equipped to deal with the periodic environmental fluctuations but cannot do so alone. It is well known that the microbiome plays a role in host health by adapting its function to the challenges at hand and working to maintain homeostasis. This study investigated the effects of reduced seawater pH, often referred to as ocean acidification (OA), on the functional profile of the A. elegantissima gastrovascular cavity (GVC) microbiome.