The epidermal ecotone: a proposed model system for marine viral ecology at the animal-environmental interface

Key Points

• This review aims to synthesize knowledge on the viral ecology of marine animal epidermal surfaces and identify research gaps.
• Review of existing literature on viral ecology and microbiomes in marine animal epidermal tissues.
• Identification of knowledge gaps in current research on the epidermal ecotone.
• Discussion of the potential of marine epidermis as a model system for future studies.
• Marine animal epidermis supports complex interactions between animals, microbes, and viruses.
• Identifying knowledge gaps highlights the need for more focused research in this area.
• The epidermal ecotone is proposed to be a valuable system for understanding microbial communities.