Fig. 6From: Sequential host-bacteria and bacteria-bacteria interactions determine the microbiome establishment of Nematostella vectensisComparison of the bacterial succession on Nematostella during ontogeny and during recolonization. During ontogeny, larvae, juvenile polyps, and adult polyps possess distinct bacterial communities. During recolonization of adult polyps, this bacterial colonization pattern occurring during natural development is recapitulated, independent of the developmental stage from which the bacterial inoculum was isolated. While the bacterial successions during ontogeny take around 3Â months, the bacterial successions during recolonization take roughly 4Â weeks. While initial selection of bacterial colonizers during recolonization is mainly directed by the host, subsequent bacterial succession, and maintenance are mainly controlled by bacteria-bacteria interactions. Starvation of the host results in a rejuvenation of the microbiome towards a juvenile state. Image created in BiorenderBack to article page