Microbiome acquisition during larval settlement of the barnacle Semibalanus balanoides

This study investigated settlement in the field of Semibalanus balanoides in two consecutive years when the composition of the benthic bacterial community differed. In both years, settling cyprids adopted a specific sub-set of benthic bacteria that was distinct from the planktonic cyprid and the benthos. This microbiome was consistent, regardless of annual variability in the benthic community structure, and established within hours of settlement