Zonal variability of epiphytic microbial community and surface metabolome along thalli of the seaweed holobiont Taonia atomaria

In the present study, we investigated the zonal variation of a seaweed holobiont system along its surface, from the basal to the apical parts. Our methodology was based on a multi-omics approach (16S rDNA metabarcoding and metabolomics), together with flow cytometry and confocal microscopy. Firstly, the aim of the study was to verify if the epiphytic microbiota differs by its abundance, diversity and composition along the thallus surface. In addition, surrounding water and biofilms formed on various rocky substrates were used to identify the host specificity of the epiphytic community of T. atomaria.