Microbiome characterization of the sea slugs Elysia viridis and Placida dendritica: insights into potential roles in kleptoplasty

This study provides novel insights into the microbial communities associated with photosynthetic sea slugs, highlighting significant differences in bacterial composition between E. viridis and P. dendritica. The identification of carotenoid-producing bacteria in E. viridis suggests a possible role in oxidative stress mitigation, and opens new perspectives on the relevance of the microbiome in supporting kleptoplasty. Further research is needed to characterize the functional contributions of bacterial taxa to chloroplast acquisition and maintenance in photosynthetic sea slugs.