The meta-holobiont: rethinking marine species interactions through microbial connectivity
Abstract
Positive species interactions underpin ecological resilience, which is critical for counteracting anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems. Current research focuses on intra-holobiont interactions between hosts and their microbiomes, reflecting their recognized importance for host well-being, but overlooks interactions among holobionts. We introduce the meta-holobiont framework in the marine environment, which conceptualizes ecological communities as networks of interacting holobionts connected through microbial transmission and metabolite production. Marine connectivity can facilitate horizontal transmission of microorganisms, potentially enhancing host fitness and stress tolerance across all life stages. Conceptual and empirical findings from sessile benthic species support this view. We argue that investigating meta-holobiont interactions is crucial for advancing knowledge on ecological dynamics and may have important practical implications, particularly for marine restoration strategies.
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BibTeX
@misc{manea2026metaholobiont,
title = {{The meta-holobiont: rethinking marine species interactions through microbial connectivity}},
author = {Elisabetta Manea and Lorenzo Bramanti and Pierre Galand},
howpublished = {HAL},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1016/j.tim.2026.08.003},
url = {https://hal.science/hal-05851697v1},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - UNPB
TI - The meta-holobiont: rethinking marine species interactions through microbial connectivity
AU - Elisabetta Manea
AU - Lorenzo Bramanti
AU - Pierre Galand
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/04
PB - HAL
DO - 10.1016/j.tim.2026.08.003
UR - https://hal.science/hal-05851697v1
AB - Positive species interactions underpin ecological resilience, which is critical for counteracting anthropogenic pressures on ecosystems. Current research focuses on intra-holobiont interactions between hosts and their microbiomes, reflecting their recognized importance for host well-being, but overlooks interactions among holobionts. We introduce the meta-holobiont framework in the marine environment, which conceptualizes ecological communities as networks of interacting holobionts connected through microbial transmission and metabolite production. Marine connectivity can facilitate horizontal transmission of microorganisms, potentially enhancing host fitness and stress tolerance across all life stages. Conceptual and empirical findings from sessile benthic species support this view. We argue that investigating meta-holobiont interactions is crucial for advancing knowledge on ecological dynamics and may have important practical implications, particularly for marine restoration strategies.
ER -