DEEP-SEA SPONGES SYSTEMATICS
The Phylum Porifera has more than 9000 species with records in almost all marine ecosystems. However, most of these records concern in the coastal and continental shelf while the deep-sea species remain underestimated in number and diversity.
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My priority is to investigate the biodiversity of deep-sea sponges around the world. With special attention given to the Atlantic Ocean, we intend to analyze the sponge biodiversity not only with a traditional taxonomic approach, but also using the molecular tool to assess morphological variations, as well as the relationship between their groupings and areas of occurrence.
CURRENT PROJECTS:
1. Deep-sea sponges systematics of the South Atlantic (Brazilian slope and seamounts, and Mid-Atlantic Ridge).
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2. Systematics of the Northwestern Atlantic (USA areas) deep-sea sponges.
3. Integrative taxonomy of the deep-sea widespread species: Desmacella annexa, Aphrocallistes beatrix and Farrea occa.
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4. Pacific deep-sea sponges (Hexactinellida) systematics (USA areas)
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5. Taxonomy of Indo-Pacific sponges (Porifera) with medicinal properties.