Halichondria panicea metagenome

Sponges represent some of the most ancient of animal life dating back to the Precambrian period. In the aquatic environment, sponges play an important role in filtering seawater and providing a food source to animals in tropical and temperate seas. Sponges are present in a variety of habitats from marine systems to freshwater lakes and streams. Typically, sponges must be submerged in order to pump water to collect particulate matter and excrete waste products. Exposure to air can introduce air pockets and stop the pumping mechanism. Interestingly, some species can be found growing on rocks intertidal zone where they are exposed to air for extended periods of time. What allows these sponges to survive this exposure is the constant sea spray and wave activity that occurs in these intertidal areas.