# Exploring the Microbial Reservoir of Geodia cydonium (Linnaeus, 1767): Insights into Site-Specific Diversity and Biotechnological Potential

## TL;DR

This study explores the microbial diversity in the sponge Geodia cydonium from different Italian sites, highlighting site-specific differences and potential biotechnological applications.

## Contribution

The study identifies site-specific microbial diversity in G. cydonium and highlights potential biotechnological taxa.

## Key findings

- Geodia cydonium hosts a highly diverse microbial community with 24 bacterial phyla.
- Polignano a Mare sponge samples showed the richest and most diverse bacterial community.
- Seven bacterial genera from Polignano a Mare are known for biotechnological potential.

## Abstract

Marine sponges are recognized as reservoirs of diverse microorganisms that produce bioactive natural compounds. In this study, we conducted a metataxonomic analysis of Geodia cydonium specimens collected from four sites in Italy: Secca delle Fumose (Gulf of Naples, Tyrrhenian Sea), Mar Piccolo of Taranto and an Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) system in Mar Grande of Taranto (both located in the Ionian Sea), and Polignano a Mare (Adriatic Sea). Our results revealed a highly diverse microbial community within the sponges, encompassing 24 bacterial phyla. Among these, Chloroflexota was the most abundant phylum, accounting for an average of 30.2% of the total community across all samples. In addition, the majority of the microbiota was composed of Actinomycetota, Proteobacteria, Acidobacteriota, Poribacteriota, Gemmatimonadota, and Dadabacteria. The sponge sample from Polignano a Mare exhibited the richest and most diverse bacterial community. This observation was supported by phylogenetic analysis, which identified seven bacterial genera, Albidovulum, Filomicrobium, Microtrix, Gaiellales, D90 (Gammaproteobacteria class), and Blastopirellula, exclusive to this site. Several of these taxa are known for their potential biotechnological applications, underlining the significance of site-specific microbial diversity in G. cydonium.