Candidatus Entotheonella halido, symbiont of the marine sponge Halichondria dokdoensis
The high-quality metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of Ca. Entotheonella halido, a newly discovered bacterial species from Korea, highlights its significant potential as a valuable organism. Isolated from the marine sponge Halichondria dokdoensis, collected from the coastal waters of Chuksan in the East Sea of Korea, Ca. Entotheonella halido belongs to the candidate genus within Candidatus Tectomicrobia. This genus is uniquely recognized for harboring a high number of biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) responsible for the production of diverse and bioactive secondary metabolites.Entotheonella species are renowned for their exceptional biosynthetic capabilities, making them prime candidates for biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications. The discovery of Ca. Entotheonella halido in Korea for the first time underscores the untapped potential of marine microbial communities in this region. This genome assembly offers valuable insights into the genetic potential and ecological role of this microorganism, advancing our understanding of marine symbiosis and natural product biosynthesis.