New genome papers are out for Glass Sponges (Hexactinellida)!! This group of sponges is known for their unique silicate skeletal elements and deep-sea reefbuilding activities. Oopsacas minuta has a genome surprisingly devoid of metazoan core genes, while Aphrocallistes vastus is an important deep-sea reefbuilding species.
Oopsacas minuta
Santini S, Schenkelaars Q, Jourda C, Duchesne M, Belahbib H, Rocher C, Selva M, Riesgo A, Vervoort M, Leys SP, Kodjabachian L, Le Bivic A, Borchiellini C, Claverie JM, Renard E. The compact genome of the sponge Oopsacas minuta (Hexactinellida) is lacking key metazoan core genes. BMC Biol. 2023 Jun 19;21(1):139. doi: 10.1186/s12915-023-01619-w. PMID: 37337252; PMCID: PMC10280926.
Aphrocallistes vastus
Francis WR, Eitel M, Vargas S, Garcia-Escudero CA, Conci N, Deister F, Mah JL, Guiglielmoni N, Krebs S, Blum H, Leys SP, Wörheide G. The genome of the reef-building glass sponge Aphrocallistes vastus provides insights into silica biomineralization. R Soc Open Sci. 2023 Jun 21;10(6):230423. doi: 10.1098/rsos.230423. PMID: 37351491; PMCID: PMC10282587.