Portions of <i>E. crocea</i> examined to find prokaryotes.

<p>A) Scheme illustrating the main features of the polyp stage. GC gastric column, AT aboral tentacles, OT oral tentacles, G gonophores, B basal portion of hydranth, N neck zone, H hydrocaulus (portion covered with perisarc). B–E. Close-up view at scanning electron microscope. B). Aboral tentacle colonized by bacteria. C. Broken female gonophore containing immature actinulae round in shape (a). Bacteria were rarely found on actinulae at this stage. D. Mature female gonophore with actinula's tentacles protruding through the opening (white arrow). Bacteria were often observed on these tiny tentacles. E. Released and free-living actinula with developed aboral (at) and oral (ot) tentacles. Scale bars: B 20 μm; C 500 μm D, E 200 μm.