Variability of octocoral microbiomes across species, habitats and seasons

We examined the diversity and structure of the bacterial component of soft coral microbiomes over summer and winter, with a focus on two temperate (Erythropodium hicksoni, Capnella gaboensis; Sydney Harbour) and two tropical (Sinularia sp., Sarcophyton sp.; Heron Island) species common to reefs in Eastern Australia. Bacterial communities associated with these soft coral species were also compared to common temperate (Plesiastrea versipora) and tropical (Acropora aspera) hard corals from the same reefs.