DOM sponge metagenomes and MAGs
Sponges were collected via submersible from the mesophotic zone around the caribbean island Dominica. Sponges were then subjected to full metagenome sequencing and binned to create metagenome-assembled-genomes (MAGs) and/or 16S-, 18S-, 28S- rRNA, and CO1 PCR followed by sanger sequencing for molecular characterization. 18S, 28S, and CO1 sequences were used to molecularly characterize the sponge hosts, in combination with traditional spicule analysis. 16S rRNA sequencing, using standard Earth Microbiome Project primers, was used to characterize the archaeal and bacterial fractions of the sponge holobiont. MAGs were used to get a deeper look into the microbial symbionts and their biosynthetic capacities.