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University of Bergen
Joana Xavier's picture

Joana Xavier

Associate Professor, Deep-Sea Biology
Department of Biological Sciences (BIO)
SponGES project webpage
researchgate
  • E-mailjoana.xavier@uib.no
  • Visitor Address
    Thormøhlensgate 53A
    5006 Bergen
    Room 
    2C16
  • Postal Address
    Postboks 7803
    5020 Bergen

I'm an Assistant Researcher and leader of the Deep-Sea Biodiversity and Conservation Team at CIIMAR, University of Porto (Portugal), and an invited Associate Professor II in Deep-Sea Biology at the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Bergen (Norway). My research focusses in the understanding of basin- to global-scale diversity, biogeographic, and connectivity patterns of deep-sea sponges and the habitats they form (i.e. sponge grounds), using a combination of disciplines (taxonomy, systematics, ecology and genomics). I collaborate with a vast network of European and North American scientists, and have trained and mentored 15+ students (from BSc to PhD levels) in the fields of sponge taxonomy, systematics, phylogenetics, and population genomics. I coordinate the DEEPbaseline project, an awardee of the Ocean Conservation Fund; and was scientific manager and co-lead WP3 of the H2020 SponGES project, funded by the European Commission. 

Xavier JR, Rees DJ, Pereira R, Colaço A, Pham CK and Carvalho FC (2021) Diversity, Distribution and Phylogenetic Relationships of Deep-Sea Lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores Archipelago. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:600087.

Dudik O, Amorim S, Xavier JR, Rapp HT, Silva TH, Pires RA and Reis RL (2021) Bioactivity of Biosilica Obtained From North Atlantic Deep-Sea Sponges. Front. Mar. Sci. 8:637810.

Figueiredo C, Caetano M, Mil-Homens M, Tojeira I, Xavier JR, Rosa R, Raimundo J (2021) Rare earth and trace elements in deep-sea sponges of the North Atlantic. Marine Pollution Bulletin 166: 112217. 

Martins E, Rapp HT, Xavier JR, Diogo GS, Reis RL, Silva TH (2021) Macro and Microstructural Characteristics of North Atlantic Deep-Sea Sponges as Bioinspired Models for Tissue Engineering Scaffolding. Frontiers in Marine Science 7:613647.

Howell KL, Hilário A, Allcock AL, …, Xavier JR (2020) A Decade to Study Deep-Sea Life. Nature Ecology and Evolution 5, 265-267.

Howell KL, Hilario A, Allcock AL, …, Xavier JR (2020) A blueprint for an inclusive, global deep-sea Ocean Decade field programme. Frontiers in Marine Science 7. 

Carvalho FC, Cárdenas P, Rios P, Cristobo J, Rapp HT, Xavier JR (2020) Rock sponges (lithistid Demospongiae) of the Northeast Atlantic seamounts, with the description of ten new species. PeerJ 8, e8703. 

Ríos P, Prado E, Carvalho FC, Sánchez F, Rodríguez-Basalo A, Xavier JR, Ibarrola TP, Cristobo J (2020) Community Composition and Habitat Characterization of a Rock Sponge Aggregation (Porifera, Corallistidae) in the Cantabrian Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science 7.

Rooks C, Fang JKH, Mørkved PT, Zhao R, Rapp HT, Xavier JR, Hoffmann F (2020) Deep-sea sponge grounds as nutrient sinks: High denitrification rates in boreo-arctic sponges. Biogeosciences, 17, 1231–1245. 

Xavier JR, Carreiro-Silva M, Colaço A, Le Bris N, Levin L (2019) Vulnerabilities: invertebrate taxa (VME indicators). In: Levin L, Baker M, Thompson T (Eds.) Deep-ocean climate change impacts on habitat, fish and fisheries. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper No. 638. Rome, FAO. 186 pp.

Otero, MM, Serena F, Gerovasileiou V, Barone M, Bo M, Arcos M, Vulcano A, Xavier JR (2019) Identification guide of vulnerable species incidentally caught in Mediterranean fisheries. Malaga, Spain. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Hawkes N, Korabik M, Beazley L, Rapp HT, Xavier JR, Kenchington E (2019) Glass sponge grounds on the Scotian Shelf and their associated biodiversity. Marine Ecology Progress Series 614, 91-109. 

Howell KL, Davies JS, Allcock AL, Braga-Henriques A, Buhl-Mortensen P, Carreiro-Silva M, Dominguez-Carrió C, Durden JM, Foster NL, Game CA, Hitchin B, Horton T, Hosking B, Jones DOB, Mah C, Marchais CL, Menot L, Morato T, Pearman TRR, Piechaud N, Ross RE, Ruhl HA, Saeedi H, Stefanoudis PV, Taranto GH, Thompson MB, Taylor JR, Tyler P, Vad J, Victorero L, Vieira RP, Woodall LC, Xavier JR, Wagner D (2019) A framework for the development of a global standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) to support imagebased analyses. PLoS ONE 14.

Ramiro-Sánchez B González-Irusta JM, Henry L-A, Cleland J, Yeo I, Xavier JR, Carreiro-Silva M et al (2019) Characterization and Mapping of a Deep-Sea Sponge Ground on the TropicSeamount (Northeast Tropical Atlantic): Implications for Spatial Management in the High Seas. Frontiers in Marine Science 6

Riesgo A, Taboada S, Pérez-Portela R, Melis P, Xavier JR, Blasco G, López-Legentil S (2019) Genetic diversity, connectivity and gene flow along the distribution of the emblematic Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis (Haplosclerida, Demospongiae). BMC Evolutionary Biology 19: 24.

Alvizu A, Xavier JR, Rapp HT (2019) Description of new chiactine-bearing sponges provides insights into the higher classification of Calcaronea (Porifera: Calcarea). Zootaxa 4615, 201-251. 

Cassarino L, Coath CD, Xavier JR, Hendry KR (2018) Silicon isotopes of deep-sea sponges: new insights into biomineralisation and skeletal structure. Biogeosciences 15, 6959-6977. 

Beazley LI, Wang Z, Kenchington EL, Yashayaev Y, Rapp HT, Xavier JR, Murillo FJ, Fenton D, Fuller SD (2018) Predicted distribution of the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesi on the Scotian Shelf and persistence in the face of climatic variability. PLoS ONE 13(10): e0205505. 

Cárdenas P, Vacelet J, Chevaldonnée P, Pérez T, Xavier JR (2018) From marine caves to the deep sea, a new look at Caminella (Demospongiae, Geodiidae) in the Atlanto-Mediterranean region. Zootaxa 4466(1), 174-196.

Alvizu A, Eilertsen MH, Xavier JR, Rapp HT (2018) Increased taxon sampling provides new insights into the phylogeny and evolution of the subclass Calcaronea (Porifera, Calcarea). Organisms Diversity and Evolution 18(3), 279-290.

Dudik O, Leonor I, Xavier JR, Rapp HT, Pires RA, Silva TH, Reis RL (2018) Sponge-derived silica for tissue regeneration. Materials Today 21(5), 577-578. 

Karimi E, Ramos M, Gonçalves JMS, Xavier JR, Reis MP and Costa R (2017) Comparative Metagenomics Reveals the Distinctive Adaptive Features of the Spongia officinalis Endosymbiotic Consortium. Frontiers in Microbiology 8, 2499. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2017.02499 

Xavier JR, Bo M (2017) Deep-sea sponges of the Mediterranean Sea. http://www.fao.org/publications/card/en/c/df94258d-ed23-4a65-9fd9-d344f7...

Hestetun JT, RappHT, Xavier JR (2017) Carnivorous sponges (Porifera, Cladorhizidae) from the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge seamounts. Deep Sea Research II 137, 166-189.

Gaspar H, Cutignano A, Grauso L, Neng N, Cachatra V, Fontana A, Xavier JR, Cerejo M, Vieira, H, Santos S (2016) Erylusamides: Novel Atypical Glycolipids from Eryluscf. deficiens. Marine Drugs 14(10), 179.

Taboada S, Riesgo A, Blasco G, Solà J, Xavier JR, López-Legentil S (2015) Development of 10 microsatellite markers for the Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis. Conservation Genetics Resources 7(4), 895-897.

Xavier JR, Cárdenas P, Cristobo J, Van Soest RWM, Rapp HT (2015) Systematics and biodiversity of deep-sea sponges of the Atlanto-Mediterranean region (Foreword). JMBA of the UK 95(7), 1285-1286.

Xavier JR, Tojeira I, Van Soest RWM (2015) On a hexactinellid sponge aggregation at the Great Meteor seamount (North-east Atlantic). JMBA of the UK 95(7), 1389-1394.

Carvalho F, Pomponi SA, Xavier JR (2015) Lithistid sponges of the upper bathyal of Madeira, Selvagens and Canary Islands with description of a new species of Isabella. JMBA of the UK 95(7), 1287-1296.

Cristobo J, Pomponi SA, Rios P, Xavier JR (2015) A new carnivorous sponge, Chondrocladia robertballardi sp. nov. (Porifera: Cladorhizidae) from two Northeast Atlantic seamounts. JMBA of the UK 95(7), 1345-1352.

Van Syoc, Van Soest RWM, Xavier JR, Hooper JNA (2015) A Phylogenetic Overview of Sponge-inhabiting Barnacles and Their Host Specificity (Crustacea, Cirripedia). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 62(11), 331-357.

Graça AP, Viana F, Bondoso J, Correia MI, Gomes L, Humanes M, Reis A, Xavier JR, Gaspar H, Lage OM (2015) The antimicrobial activity of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from the marine sponge Erylus deficiens (Astrophorida, Geodiidae). Front. Microbiol. 6, 389.

Hardoim, CCP, Cardinale M, Cúcio ACB, Esteves, AIS, Berg G, Xavier JR, Cox CJ, Costa R (2014) Effects of sample handling and cultivation bias on the specificity of bacterial communities in keratose marine sponges. Frontiers in Microbiology 5, 611.

Graça AP, Bondoso J, Gaspar H, Xavier JR, Monteiro MC, de la Cruz M, Oves-Costales D, Vicente F, Lage OM (2013) Antimicrobial activity of heterotrophic bacterial communities from the marine sponge Erylus discophorus(Astrophorida, Geodiidae). PLoS ONE 8(11): e78922.

Esteves AIS, Hardoim CCP, Xavier JR, Gonçalves MS, Costa R (2013) Molecular richness and biotechnological potential of bacteria cultured from Irciniidae sponges in the Northeast Atlantic. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 85(3): 519-536.

Hardoim CCP, Esteves AIS, Pires FR, Gonçalves JMS, Cox CJ, Xavier JR, Costa R (2012) Phylogenetically and spatially close marine sponges harbour divergent bacterial communities. PLoS ONE 7(12), e53029.

Xavier JR, Van Soest RWM (2012) Diversity patterns and zoogeography of the Northeast Atlantic and Mediterranean shallow-water sponge fauna. Hydrobiologia 687(1), 107-125.

Araújo M, Xavier JR, Nunes CD, Vaz PD, Humanes M (2012) Marine sponge melanin: a new source of an old biopolymer. Structural Chemistry 23(1), 115-122.

Cárdenas P, Xavier JR, Reveillaud J, Schander C, Rapp HT (2011) Molecular phylogeny of the Astrophorida (Porifera, Demospongiae) reveals an unexpected high level of spicule homoplasy. PLoS ONE 6(4): e18318 

Xavier JR, Van Soest RWM, Breeuwer JAJ, Frias Martins AMF, Menken SBJ (2010b) Phylogeography, genetic diversity and structure of the poecilosclerid sponge Phorbas fictitius at oceanic islands. Contributions to Zoology 79, 119-129.

Xavier JR, Rachello-Dolmen PG, Parra-Velandia F, Schönberg CHL, Breeuwer JAJ, Van Soest RWM (2010a) Molecular evidence of cryptic speciation in the “cosmopolitan” excavating sponge Cliona celata (Porifera, Clionaidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 56, 13-20.

Reveillaud J, Remerie T, Van Soest RWM, Erpenbeck D, Cárdenas P, Sofie Derycke S, Xavier JR, Rigaux A, Vanreusel A (2010) Species boundaries and phylogenetic relationships between Atlanto-Mediterranean shallow-water and deep-sea coral associated Hexadella species (Porifera, Ianthellidae). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 56, 104-114.

Webster N, Xavier JR, Freckleton M, Motti C, Cobb R (2008) Shifts in microbial and chemical patterns within the marine sponge Aplysina aerophoba during a disease outbreak. Environmental Microbiology 10(12), 3366-3376. 

Marques D, Esteves A, Almeida M, Xavier JR, Humanes M (2008) Superoxide dismutase in the marine sponge Cliona celata. Marine Biology 153, 807-813.

Xavier JR, Van Soest RWM (2007) Demosponge fauna of Ormonde and Gettysburg Seamounts (Gorringe Bank, Northeast Atlantic): diversity and zoogeographical affinities. J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U. K. 87, 1643-1653.

Cárdenas P, Xavier JR, Tendal O, Schander C, Rapp HT (2007) Redescription and resurrection of Pachymatisma normani (Demospongiae: Geodiidae), with remarks on the genus Pachymatisma. J. Mar.Biol. Ass. U. K. 87, 1511-1525.

Academic article
  • Show author(s) (2022). Habitat variability and faunal zonation at the Aegir Ridge, a canyon-like structure in the deep Norwegian Sea. PeerJ.
  • Show author(s) (2022). Genetic diversity, gene flow and hybridization in fan-shaped sponges (Phakellia spp.) in the North-East Atlantic deep sea. Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 19 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2022). Biodiversity, environmental drivers, and sustainability of the global deep-sea sponge microbiome. Nature Communications. 16 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2022). Beyond the tip of the seamount: Distinct megabenthic communities found beyond the charismatic summit sponge ground on an arctic seamount (Schulz Bank, Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge). Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers. 16 pages.
  • Show author(s) (2022). A policy-based framework for the determination of management options to protect vulnerable marine ecosystems under the EU deep-sea access regulations. ICES Journal of Marine Science. 34-49.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Unique spicules may confound species differentiation: Taxonomy and biogeography of Melonanchora Carter, 1874 and two new related genera (Myxillidae: Poecilosclerida) from the Okhotsk Sea. PeerJ. 1-63.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Rare earth and trace elements in deep-sea sponges of the North Atlantic. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 1-7.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Diversity, distribution and phylogenetic relationships of deep-sea lithistids (Porifera, Heteroscleromorpha) of the Azores archipelago. Frontiers in Marine Science.
  • Show author(s) (2021). Bioactivity of Biosilica Obtained From North Atlantic Deep-Sea Sponges. Frontiers in Marine Science.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Rock sponges (lithistid Demospongiae) of the Northeast Atlantic seamounts, with description of ten new species. PeerJ.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Macro and Microstructural Characteristics of North Atlantic Deep-Sea Sponges as Bioinspired Models for Tissue Engineering Scaffolding. Frontiers in Marine Science.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Deep-sea sponge grounds as nutrient sinks: Denitrification is common in boreo-Arctic sponges. Biogeosciences. 1231-1245.
  • Show author(s) (2020). Community Composition and Habitat Characterization of a Rock Sponge Aggregation (Porifera, Corallistidae) in the Cantabrian Sea. Frontiers in Marine Science.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Glass sponge grounds on the Scotian Shelf and their associated biodiversity. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 91-109.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Genetic diversity, connectivity and gene flow along the distribution of the emblematic Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis (Haplosclerida, Demospongiae). BMC Evolutionary Biology. 1-18.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Description of new chiactine-bearing sponges provides insights into the higher classification of Calcaronea (Porifera: Calcarea). Zootaxa. 201-251.
  • Show author(s) (2019). Characterization and mapping of a deep-sea sponge ground on the tropic seamount (Northeast Tropical Atlantic): Implications for spatial management in the high seas. Frontiers in Marine Science.
  • Show author(s) (2019). A framework for the development of a global standardised marine taxon reference image database (SMarTaR-ID) to support image-based analyses. PLOS ONE. 1-25.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Sponge-derived silica for tissue regeneration: Bioceramics of deep-sea sponge. Materials Today. 577-578.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Silicon isotopes of deep sea sponges: New insights into biomineralisation and skeletal structure. Biogeosciences. 6959-6977.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Predicted distribution of the glass sponge Vazella pourtalesi on the Scotian Shelf and its persistence in the face of climatic variability. PLOS ONE.
  • Show author(s) (2018). Increased taxon sampling provides new insights into the phylogeny and evolution of the subclass Calcaronea (Porifera, Calcarea). Organisms Diversity & Evolution.
  • Show author(s) (2018). From marine caves to the deep sea, a new look at caminella (Demospongiae, geodiidae) in the atlanto-Mediterranean region. Zootaxa. 174-196.
  • Show author(s) (2017). Comparative metagenomics reveals the distinctive adaptive features of the Spongia officinalis endosymbiotic consortium. Frontiers in Microbiology.
  • Show author(s) (2016). Erylusamides: Novel atypical glycolipids from Erylus cf. deficiens. Marine Drugs.
  • Show author(s) (2016). Carnivorous sponges (Porifera, Cladorhizidae) from the Southwest Indian Ocean Ridge seamounts. Deep-Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography. 166-189.
  • Show author(s) (2015). The antimicrobial activity of heterotrophic bacteria isolated from the marine sponge Erylus deficiens (Astrophorida, Geodiidae). Frontiers in Microbiology.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Systematics and biodiversity of deep-sea sponges of the Atlanto-Mediterranean region. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 1285-1286.
  • Show author(s) (2015). On a hexactinellid sponge aggregation at the Great Meteor seamount (North-east Atlantic). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 1389-1394.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Lithistid sponges of the upper bathyal of Madeira, Selvagens and Canary Islands, with description of a new species of Isabella. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 1287-1296.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Development of 10 microsatellite markers for the Atlanto-Mediterranean sponge Petrosia ficiformis. Conservation Genetics Resources. 895-897.
  • Show author(s) (2015). A new carnivorous sponge, Chondrocladia robertballardi sp. nov. (Porifera: Cladorhizidae) from two Northeast Atlantic seamounts. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 1345-1352.
  • Show author(s) (2015). A Phylogenetic Overview of Sponge-inhabiting Barnacles and Their Host Specificity (Crustacea, Cirripedia). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences. 331-357.
  • Show author(s) (2014). Effects of sample handling and cultivation bias on the specificity of bacterial communities in keratose marine sponges. Frontiers in Microbiology.
  • Show author(s) (2014). A new carnivorous sponge, Chondrocladia robertballardi sp. nov. (Porifera: Cladorhizidae) from two north-east Atlantic seamounts. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.
Lecture
  • Show author(s) (2015). Predicting suitable habitat for the bird’s nest sponge Pheronema carpenteri (Porifera, Hexactinellida) in the Northeast Atlantic.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Diversity, distribution and phylogenetic relationships of bathyal lithistid sponges of the Macaronesian Islands and northeast Atlantic seamounts.
  • Show author(s) (2014). Towards the conservation of deep-sea sponge grounds.
  • Show author(s) (2014). Sponge assemblages of the Condor Seamount (Azores) characterized from underwater imagery.
  • Show author(s) (2014). Lithistid demosponges of the Macaronesian Islands and Northeast Atlantic seamounts: diversity, distribution and phylogenetic relationships.
  • Show author(s) (2014). Calcareous sponges from the Azores.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Sponge assemblages of the Condor Seamount (Azores) characterized from underwater imagery.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Predicting suitable habitat for the bird's nest sponge Pheronema carpenteri (Hexactinellida, Pheronematidae) in the Northeast Atlantic.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Portuguese marine sponge extracts libraries for drug discovery: ASYN-TAU, TTR and IDO modulators.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Lithistid demosponges of the Macaronesian Islands and Northeast Atlantic Seamounts: Diversity, distribution and phylogenetic relationships.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Diversity of bacteria cultured from Irciniidae sponges.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Challenging the specificity of the marine sponge microbiome - a biogeographical approach.
Editorial
  • Show author(s) (2023). Editorial: Deep-sea sponge ecosystems: Knowledge-based approach towards sustainable management and conservation. Frontiers in Marine Science.
Short communication
  • Show author(s) (2021). A decade to study deep-sea life. Nature Ecology and Evolution. 265-267.
Poster
  • Show author(s) (2015). Sponge assemblages of the Schultz seamount – Arctic Mid-Ocean Ridge.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Sponge assemblages of the Condor seamount (Azores) characterized from underwater imagery.
  • Show author(s) (2015). Carnivorous sponges from the Southwestern Indian Ocean Ridge seamounts.
  • Show author(s) (2014). Deep-sea sponge habitats in Madeira-TORE Rise.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Unravelling the structure of the marine sponge microbiome across biogeographical gradient.
  • Show author(s) (2013). The culturable heterotrophic bacteria associated with Erylus spp. (Astrophorida, Geodiidae).
  • Show author(s) (2013). SPECIAL - Sponge Enzymes and Cells for Innovative AppLication.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Degrees of host specificity, effects of sample handling, and extent of cultivation bias elucidated for bacterial communities in closely related marine sponges.
  • Show author(s) (2013). Coral boring Porifera (Phloeodictyidae) from Galicia Bank (Atlantic Ocean).
  • Show author(s) (2013). A new species of Spongia (Dictyoceratida, Spongiidae) from theAzores.
Errata
  • Show author(s) (2022). Publisher Correction: Biodiversity, environmental drivers, and sustainability of the global deep-sea sponge microbiome (Nature Communications, (2022), 13, 1, (5160), 10.1038/s41467-022-32684-4). Nature Communications.
Academic literature review
  • Show author(s) (2020). A Blueprint for an Inclusive, Global Deep-Sea Ocean Decade Field Program. Frontiers in Marine Science. 25 pages.

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