Common Environmental Pollutants Negatively Affect Development and Regeneration in the Sea Anemone Nematostella vectensis Holobiont

The anthozoan sea anemone Nematostella vectensis belongs to the phylum of cnidarians which also includes jellyfish and corals. are native United States East Coast marsh lands, where they constantly adapt changes in salinity, temperature, oxygen concentration pH. Its natural ability continually acclimate changing environments coupled with its genetic tractability render a powerful model organism study effects common pollutants on development these animals. Potassium nitrate, commonly used fertilizers, Phthalates, component plastics frequent environmental stressors found coastal waters. Here we present data showing how early exposure lead dramatic defects embryos eventual mortality possibly due feeding ability. Additionally, examined microbiome animals identified shifts microbial community that correlated type water was grow animals, their pollutants.