It is a rare marine eukaryote consisting of a number of cells embedded in a jelly-like matrix.

Homologs of cell adhesion, neuropeptide and glycosphingolipid metabolism genes are present in the genome.

S. rosetta can be induced to undergo sexual reproduction by the marine bacterium Vibrio fischeri.

[6] Additionally, recent evidence suggests that a bacterial sulfonolipid, called rosette inducing factor (RIF-1) and produced by Algoriphagus machipongonensis, triggers colony formation in S.

[7] The effect of RIF-1 on colony formation in S. rosetta has been suggested as an example of how interactions between bacteria and eukaryotes may have led to multicellularity in the latter.