Schematic representation of the BC% analysis of the abalone seed-nursing ecosystem.

Abstract

<p>“A,” “S,” and “W” represent different components of the ecosystem with direct microbial exchanges. Comparisons of bacterial communities were only conducted for two samples that were spatially or temporally adjacent, e.g., An-1&An, Wn-1&An, Sn&An. The microbiome of “An” is mainly influenced by five spatially and temporally adjacent samples: Wn-1, An-1, Sn-1, Wn, and Sn. The influence of “W” or “S” was external and that of “An-1” was internal. When the BC values of “An” are considered 100%, the BC percentage (BC%) reflects the strength of the influence on “An”. BC, Bray-Curtis similarity value; A, Abalone; S, Adherent substrate; W, Water; n − 1, Time point prior to “n.”</p