Preliminary analysis into the metagenome of the marine fire sponge, Tedania ignis, using assembly independent methods

Tedania ignis, or the mangrove fire sponge is a common species throughout the Caribbean and south Florida. It is well known for the intense burning sensation upon contact with skin. The microbiome of T. ignis was recently sequenced as part of the Sponge Microbiome project, but not much is known of the functional potential of these microbial communities, or the taxonomic domain make-up of this species. Metabolites from T. ignis have been found to have potent anti-cancer properties, but the producing symbiont or symbionts have not been determined. In this study, we show the domain makeup of this species, the functional potential of the sponge, and the taxonomic makeup from assembly-free metagenomes.