Santiago Herrera

Deep-sea siliceous sponges harbor distinct and functionally diverse microbiomes

This study investigates the microbiomes of deep-sea siliceous sponges using shotgun metagenomics, revealing host phylogeny's influence on microbial community structure and metabolic capabilities.

Environmental filtering shapes patch dynamics across isolated mesophotic reefs

The paper investigates community assembly in mesophotic coral ecosystems, finding that environmental filtering, particularly turbidity from benthic nepheloid layers, shapes community composition more than geographic distance or dispersal limitation.

Depth-dependent eDNA abundances across ecosystems inform deep-sea sampling strategies

This study quantifies how eDNA concentration declines with depth and productivity, deriving sampling targets to improve deep-sea biodiversity assessments.

Stepping-stone population structure and widespread clonality of the mesophotic octocoral Swiftia exserta in the Warm Temperate Northwest Atlantic

This study uses population genomics and larval dispersal modeling to show that Swiftia exserta relies on clonal propagation within mesophotic banks and episodic larval exchange between them.

Ca. Steroidedax gorgoniicola, a heterotrophic coral associate with horizontally acquired genes from Endozoicomonadaceae

The paper genomes an octocoral-associated bacterium classified as BD1-7, revealing it is a heterotrophic coral associate with horizontally acquired genes from Endozoicomonadaceae.

Novel insights into conserved biomineralization mechanisms revealed from a cold-water scleractinian coral skeletal proteome

The paper compares the skeletal proteomes of three coral species to identify a conserved biomineralization toolkit across different environments and symbiotic statuses.

High Connectivity, Local Signatures: Genomic and Otolith Evidence from Reef-Associated Snappers.

This study combines genomic and otolith data to assess connectivity in snapper species, finding weak genetic structure but distinct environmental signatures in otoliths, highlighting ecological differentiation within a connected system.

Argentina Explores Its Bathyal and Abyssal Zone for the First Time Using an ROV: New Biodiversity Discoveries and Unprecedented Public Engagement

The Talud Continental IV expedition explored Argentina's bathyal and abyssal zones using an ROV, discovering new species and engaging the public through outreach programs.

Limited Dispersal of Benthic Environmental DNA from a Subtropical Mesophotic Shelf-Edge Bank

The paper investigates eDNA dispersion from a mesophotic reef, finding limited vertical transport and extended horizontal dispersal, with taxon-specific markers improving detection.

Genome assembly of the deep-sea coral Lophelia pertusa

The paper presents the genome assembly of the deep-sea coral Lophelia pertusa, achieving a high-quality reference genome comparable to shallow-water corals.

Genome-Epigenome Interactions Associated with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome

This study identifies genetic and epigenetic interactions associated with ME/CFS by analyzing DNA methylation and SNP variability in patients and healthy controls.

Universal target-enrichment baits for anthozoan (Cnidaria) phylogenomics: New approaches to long-standing problems

The paper designs and tests RNA baits to capture phylogenetically informative loci in anthozoans, successfully resolving evolutionary relationships across multiple taxa.