Microbiome mediated plasticity promotes thermal adaptation in Nematostella vectensis

We long-term acclimated genetically identical polyps of this cnidarian species to low, medium and high temperatures, in order to test the impact of microbiome-mediated plasticity on animal acclimation. Using the same animal clonal line, propagated from a single polyp, allowed us to eliminate effects of the host genotype. Interestingly, the higher thermal tolerance of animals acclimated to high temperature, could be transferred to non-acclimated animals through microbiome transplantation. In addition, offspring survival was highest from mothers acclimated to high temperature, indicating the transmission of thermal resistance to the next generation. Microbial community analyses of the F1 generation revealed the transmission of the acclimated microbiome to the next generation.