Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of the leaf- and root-associated microbiomes of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica

A great deal of research has been focused on the microbiomes of terrestrial angiosperms (flowering plants), but much less research has been performed on the microbiomes of aquatic angiosperms (Turner et al. 2013). Eelgrass beds are extremely productive ecosystems that provide habitat for many marine organisms, such as fish, shelfish, crabs, and algae (Smith et al. 1988). Eelgrass beds contribute to storm surge damping (Spalding et al. 2009), nutrient cycling (Smith et al. 1988), and water clarification (Orth et al. 2006). We examined the metagenomics and metatranscriptomics of the leaf- and root-associated microbiomes of Zostera marina and Zostera japonica. In our study, the phylogenetic composition of plant-associated bacterial communities was not significantly different between plant species for leaf communities (ANOSIM P<0.199) and for root communities (ANOSIM P<0.091). However, leaf-, root-, and water column associated bacterial communities were significantly different from one another (ANOSIM, P