Microbiota regulates life-cycle transition and nematocyte dynamics in jellyfish

Jellyfish represent one of the most basal animal groups with complex life cycles. The polyp-to-medusa biota-mediated host phenotype dynamics during strobilation in the jellyfish Aurelia coerulea via antibioticinduced microbiome alteration. Microbial depletion delayed the initiation of strobilation and resulted in fewer segments and ephyrae, which could be restored via microbial recolonization. Jellyfish-associated and trigger the retinoic acid signaling cascade, which drove the strobilation process. The microbiota reguThe findings improve our understanding of jellyfish-microbe interactions and provide new insights into the role of the microbiota in shaping feeding behavior through nematocyte dynamics.