Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreu Santin, Maria-Jesus Uriz, Javier Cristobo, Joana R. Xavier, Pilar Rios
Summary: Sponges are difficult to properly identify, especially in simple skeleton sponges and remote deep-sea environments. Researchers have discovered four new species in the Melonanchora genus and reassigned Melonanchora from the Okhotsk Sea to other genera. This study highlights the complexity of sponge taxonomy and the importance of accurate classification.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andrzej Pisera, Vasilis Gerovasileiou
Summary: Desmas-bearing demosponges known as lithistids have heavily silicified skeleton and are typically found in bathyal environments of warm and tropical areas, but may also occur in certain shallow marine caves. This study reports the presence of two lithistid species in the north-eastern Mediterranean marine caves, with an unexpected association between lithistids and freshwater springs leading to their development. Age estimation suggests that the large populations of lithistids discovered in the caves could be as old as 769-909 years, having colonized the caves from adjacent deep-water areas after the last glaciation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Guilherme Roxo, Monica Moura, Pedro Talhinhas, Jose Carlos Costa, Luis Silva, Raquel Vasconcelos, Miguel Menezes de Sequeira, Maria Manuel Romeiras
Summary: The Macaronesian islands are a reservoir of genetic variation of wild carrots, with larger genomes generally found in mainland regions and smaller genomes in insular endemic taxa. Positive correlations were found between genome size and morphological traits and habit, supporting the close relationship among endemic species. This study improves understanding of DNA content for Macaronesian endemics and diversity patterns of wild carrots in the western Mediterranean region.
Article
Ecology
Duorun Wang, Yuhao Zhao, Shupei Tang, Xiangxu Liu, Wande Li, Peng Han, Di Zeng, Yangheshan Yang, Guangpeng Wei, Yi Kang, Xingfeng Si
Summary: The Equilibrium Theory of Island Biogeography proposes that larger and closer islands have higher biodiversity due to the balance of colonization and extinction. However, nearby islands can also act as species sources for focal islands. In this study, we investigated how island area, isolation, and nearby islands impact bird diversity in the Zhoushan Archipelago.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL ECOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Dagmar M. Hanz, Vanessa Cutts, Martha Paola Barajas-Barbosa, Adam C. Algar, Carl Beierkuhnlein, Jose-Maria Fernandez-Palacios, Richard Field, Holger Kreft, Manuel J. Steinbauer, Patrick Weigelt, Severin D. H. Irl
Summary: Functional traits can elucidate biogeographical and ecological processes driving assemblage structure. Our study on plant species of different evolutionary origins in the Canary Islands revealed that endemic and non-endemic native species possess similar traits, while alien species tend to expand functional space in introduced ecosystems. The distribution of functional diversity of floristic groups is distinct across environmental gradients, indicating their adaptation to different habitats.
GLOBAL ECOLOGY AND BIOGEOGRAPHY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica Vannini, Lidia Yebra, Antonia Granata, Letterio Guglielmo, Salvatore Moscatello, Genuario Belmonte
Summary: The investigation on microplankton composition and spatial distribution in Italian seas found differences in horizontal distribution with higher similarities between surface stations. A comparison with data from the South Adriatic Sea confirmed higher dissimilarity between deep-sea samples in a relatively smaller geographic area.
Article
Limnology
Aleix Obiol, Imer Muhovic, Ramon Massana
Summary: Marine heterotrophic flagellates play a crucial role in marine biogeochemical cycles, with only a few dominant taxa in surface waters and deep ocean. Co-occurrence networks show main clusters influenced by temperature and potential new prey-predator interactions. Further studies can focus on these ecologically relevant HF taxa identified in this research.
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qihang Li, Yuanming Chai, Qianwen Shao, Zaiming Wang, Xie Wei, Yadong Zhou, Sun Dong, Xiaohui Xie, Dongsheng Zhang
Summary: Planktonic larvae play a crucial role in marine ecosystems, and the study of meroplankton in the South China Sea and the Philippine Sea is important for understanding the influx of Pacific species into the East Indies Triangle. This study used the metabarcoding method to investigate the geographical distribution pattern of meroplankton and identified the factors influencing their diversity. The results showed that metabarcoding is an effective and accurate method for studying meroplankton.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Justyna J. Hampel, Rachel D. Moseley, Leila J. Hamdan
Summary: The seafloor contains complex ecosystems where habitat heterogeneity influences biodiversity. This study focuses on shipwrecks as a type of built habitat and examines their impact on surrounding sediment microbiomes. The study finds elevated diversity and a predictable core microbiome around shipwrecks, indicating that built habitats shape microbiome biodiversity in the Anthropocene.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Brian R. C. Kennedy, Randi D. Rotjan
Summary: Despite substantial efforts in mapping and exploring the oceans using new technologies, our knowledge about the oceans is still limited. Future work needs to prioritize areas of greatest need and be more targeted to keep up with the rate and impact of environmental and biodiversity changes in the ocean.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Qingqing Peng, Yongqi Li, Ludan Deng, Jiasong Fang, Xi Yu
Summary: The hadal biosphere remains one of the least understood ecosystems on Earth, with recent studies revealing diverse and active fungal communities in hadal sediment. Research on these fungi is limited, but they have shown good growth and potential for secondary metabolite production under high hydrostatic pressure.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Lissette Victorero, Sarah Samadi, Timothy D. O'Hara, Maud Mouchet, Juliette Delavenne, Fabien Leprieur, Boris Leroy
Summary: Delineating biogeographical regions for ophiuroids from shallow waters to the deep sea provides insights into species distribution patterns shaped by environmental conditions and geological features. A bipartite network analysis was applied to a historical dataset of brittle stars to delineate marine benthic biogeographical regions. The highest species richness and endemicity rates were found in the Indo-Pacific region, Tropical West Atlantic, Southern Ocean, and South America. Surface temperature, salinity, and tectonic configuration were identified as important predictors of the delineated biogeographical regions. Future research should consider multiple benthic taxa and deep sea environmental conditions to validate the proposed division.
Review
Oceanography
Natalie Summers, Les Watling
Summary: Biogeographical schemes for the Upper Bathyal across the Pacific Ocean based on octocoral distributions were proposed in this study. The units seem to be primarily driven by temperature, potentially subdivided based on habitat, and should be divided vertically into two depth zones in certain regions.
PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Yadong Zhou, Yuru Han, Wei Xie, Mingting Li, Zhi Wang, Dongsheng Zhang
Summary: By deploying cow falls at different depths on Zhongnan seamount in the South China Sea, new species of Sirsoe and their distribution patterns were studied. The depth zonation and species diversity were found to be influenced by the unique geographic and hydrological conditions of the South China Sea.
ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andreu Santin, Jordi Grinyo, Maria Jesus Uriz, Claudio Lo Iacono, Josep Maria Gili, Pere Puig
Summary: Cold-water coral reefs (CWC) in the Mediterranean Sea are considered biodiversity hotspots, with sponge fauna within these habitats being poorly explored. The study provides new insights on sponge fauna associated with CWC in the Mediterranean, including the discovery of new species. While Mediterranean CWC appear as poriferan biodiversity hotspots, the current diversity values only represent a small fraction of the actual fauna.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Francisca C. Carvalho, Paco Cardenas, Pilar Rios, Javier Cristobo, Hans Tore Rapp, Joana R. Xavier
Editorial Material
Ecology
Kerry L. Howell, Ana Hilario, A. Louise Allcock, David Bailey, Maria Baker, Malcolm R. Clark, Ana Colaco, Jon Copley, Erik E. Cordes, Roberto Danovaro, Awantha Dissanayake, Elva Escobar, Patricia Esquete, Austin J. Gallagher, Andrew R. Gates, Sylvie M. Gaudron, Christopher R. German, Kristina M. Gjerde, Nicholas D. Higgs, Nadine Le Bris, Lisa A. Levin, Elisabetta Manea, Craig McClain, Lenaick Menot, Nelia C. Mestre, Anna Metaxas, Rosanna Milligan, Agnes W. N. Muthumbi, Bhavani E. Narayanaswamy, Sofia P. Ramalho, Eva Ramirez-Llodra, Laura M. Robson, Alex D. Rogers, Javier Sellanes, Julia D. Sigwart, Kerry Sink, Paul V. R. Snelgrove, Paris V. Stefanoudis, Paulo Y. Sumida, Michelle L. Taylor, Andrew R. Thurber, Rui Vieira, Hiromi K. Watanabe, Lucy C. Woodall, Joana R. Xavier
Summary: The United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development offers a great opportunity for the deep-sea research community to achieve positive change in ocean use.
NATURE ECOLOGY & EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eva Martins, Hans Tore Rapp, Joana R. Xavier, Gabriela S. Diogo, Rui L. Reis, Tiago H. Silva
Summary: Deep-sea sponges exhibit highly porous skeletons with complex chemical compositions, showing potential applications in tissue engineering for bone regeneration. The morphological, mechanical, and chemical characteristics of deep-sea sponges investigated in this study reveal their potential as a source of biomaterials and biomimetic models for bone regeneration applications.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Catia Figueiredo, Miguel Caetano, Mario Mil-Homens, Ines Tojeira, Joana R. Xavier, Rui Rosa, Joana Raimundo
Summary: The study characterizes rare earth elements and trace elements in five genera of deep-sea sponges collected in the North Atlantic. These sponges showed an increased accumulation of trace elements compared to other organisms, possibly influenced by volcanic activity. Additionally, a Light REE enrichment and a negative Ce anomaly were observed in all studied species, providing a baseline for future comparisons.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Olesia Dudik, Sara Amorim, Joana R. Xavier, Hans Tore Rapp, Tiago H. Silva, Ricardo A. Pires, Rui L. Reis
Summary: Among the biosilicas extracted from sponges, the one derived from Geodia atlantica (GA) showed promising bioactivity and osteogenic capacity, making it a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering. Biosilicas from other sources did not form a stable calcium phosphate (CaP) layer in simulated body fluid.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joana R. Xavier, David J. Rees, Raquel Pereira, Ana Colaco, Christopher K. Pham, Francisca C. Carvalho
Summary: This study assessed the diversity and distribution of lithistid sponges in the Azores, identifying 11 species with one being reported for the first time in the archipelago. Molecular barcodes were provided for seven species, with discussions on their phylogenetic and biogeographic affinities. The study also highlighted the importance of adding some lithistid species to VME indicators for sustainable management and conservation.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Fisheries
P. Daniel van Denderen, Helen Holah, Laura M. Robson, Jan Geert Hiddink, Lenaick Menot, Debbi Pedreschi, Georgios Kazanidis, Marcos Llope, Phillip J. Turner, David Stirling, F. Javier Murillo, Andrew Kenny, Neil Campbell, A. Louise Allcock, Andreia Braga-Henriques, Jose M. Gonzalez-Irusta, Graham Johnston, Covadonga Orejas, Alberto Serrano, Joana R. Xavier, Peter Hopkins, Ellen Kenchington, Eugene Nixon, Sebastian Valanko
Summary: A data-driven approach has been developed to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems (VMEs) under the European Union deep-sea access regulations. Multiple protection options and closures have been proposed based on different scenarios and fishing activities.
ICES JOURNAL OF MARINE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Andreu Santin, Maria-Jesus Uriz, Javier Cristobo, Joana R. Xavier, Pilar Rios
Summary: Sponges are difficult to properly identify, especially in simple skeleton sponges and remote deep-sea environments. Researchers have discovered four new species in the Melonanchora genus and reassigned Melonanchora from the Okhotsk Sea to other genera. This study highlights the complexity of sponge taxonomy and the importance of accurate classification.
Article
Oceanography
Sergi Taboada, Pilar Rios, Alex Mitchell, Alex Cranston, Kathrin Busch, Vanina Tonzo, Paco Cardenas, Francisco Sanchez, Carlos Leiva, Vasiliki Koutsouveli, Javier Cristobo, Joana R. Xavier, Ute Hentschel, Hans-Tore Rapp, Christine Morrow, Jim Drewery, Pedro E. Romero, Connie Whiting, Ana Riesgo, Maria Belen Arias
Summary: Deep-sea North Atlantic sponge grounds play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning. A study on two congeneric sponge species revealed their genetic diversity, molecular connectivity patterns, and the occurrence of hybridization, highlighting the importance of next-generation techniques for conservation efforts.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Saskia Brix, Stefanie Kaiser, Anne-Nina Loerz, Morgane Le Saout, Mia Schumacher, Frederic Bonk, Hronn Egilsdottir, Steinunn Hilma Olafsdottir, Anne Helene S. Tandberg, James Taylor, Simon Tewes, Joana R. Xavier, Katrin Linse
Summary: This study investigates the benthic habitats and communities along the AEgir Ridge System (ARS) and reveals the influence of depth gradients on species composition and abundance. The findings also include the discovery of Vulnerable Marine Ecosystems (VMEs) and support the designation of the region as an Ecologically and Biologically Significant Area (EBSA).
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathrin Busch, Beate M. Slaby, Wolfgang Bach, Antje Boetius, Ina Clefsen, Ana Colaco, Marie Creemers, Javier Cristobo, Luisa Federwisch, Andre Franke, Asimenia Gavriilidou, Andrea Hethke, Ellen Kenchington, Furu Mienis, Sadie Mills, Ana Riesgo, Pilar Rios, Emyr Martyn Roberts, Detmer Sipkema, Lucia Pita, Peter J. Schupp, Joana Xavier, Hans Tore Rapp, Ute Hentschel
Summary: This study presents a large-scale analysis of microbial diversity in deep-sea sponges. They show that sponge microbial abundance status, geographic distance, sponge phylogeny and the physical-biogeochemical environment drive microbiome composition, in descending order of relevance. The uniqueness of each deep-sea sponge ground stresses the need for their strategic preservation.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Correction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kathrin Busch, Beate M. Slaby, Wolfgang Bach, Antje Boetius, Ina Clefsen, Ana Colaco, Marie Creemers, Javier Cristobo, Luisa Federwisch, Andre Franke, Asimenia Gavriilidou, Andrea Hethke, Ellen Kenchington, Furu Mienis, Sadie Mills, Ana Riesgo, Pilar Rios, Emyr Martyn Roberts, Detmer Sipkema, Lucia Pita, Peter J. Schupp, Joana Xavier, Hans Tore Rapp, Ute Hentschel
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Oceanography
E. M. Roberts, J. R. Xavier, P. A. Ribeiro, H. Glenner, S. -r. Birkely, H. K. Meyer, A. J. Davies, H. T. Rapp
Summary: Currently, there is limited understanding of benthic communities on arctic seamounts and their classification systems. The focus has primarily been on the arctic sponge ground at the summit, leading to the assumption that it is the most biologically interesting community. However, this study found distinct megafauna communities on Schulz Bank, including sponge-dominated communities on the lower slopes that challenge this assumption. The results lay the foundation for future research and conservation efforts, providing a comprehensive view of arctic sponge-dominated ecosystems.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Joana R. R. Xavier, Shirley A. A. Pomponi, Ellen L. L. Kenchington
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Oceanography
Alejandra Mejia-Saenz, Erik Simon-Lledo, Louis S. Partridge, Joana R. Xavier, Daniel O. B. Jones
Summary: Abyssal polymetallic nodule fields are unique deep-sea habitats. The presence of hard substratum, such as nodules and rocks, promotes the occurrence of diverse abyssal assemblages. The contribution of rocks to habitat heterogeneity has been largely overlooked, but our study shows that they play an important role in enhancing biodiversity and habitat complexity within nodule fields.
DEEP-SEA RESEARCH PART I-OCEANOGRAPHIC RESEARCH PAPERS
(2023)
