Symbiotic interactions and climate change implications of the octocoral microbiome.

Meta-analysis of 79 octocoral bacterial genomes shows group-specific denitrification, nitrate assimilation, and nutrient cycling capacities, highlighting microbiome roles in host resilience.

• Why it matters: Understanding octocoral microbiomes is crucial because they influence host health, nutrient cycling, and chemical defense, yet knowledge gaps hinder predictions of responses to climate change and stressors.
• What they did: The study conducted a meta-analysis of bacterial genomes from octocorals, revealing taxonomic and functional diversity, with emphasis on nutrient-related pathways, and identified biases in sampling efforts.
• The result: Findings suggest microbiomes may contribute to octocoral resilience under environmental stress, and highlight the need for expanded research on underrepresented regions, taxa, and pathogenic microbiomes.