Publications - BEM Lab | Biodiversity & Ecosystem Management Lab at KAUST

/PUBLICATIONS

Scientific Insights

Explore our latest research and findings that drive marine conservation and innovation. From groundbreaking studies to insightful reviews, our publications reflect our commitment to advancing marine science and policy.

The role of limpets in biodiversity patterns and bioerosion on coastal infrastructure: Insights from Plymouth Breakwater

Research article Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoleng.2025.107548

Authors: Aeden Cooper, Antony M. Knights, Sandalia Walker, Juan Sempere-Valverde, Chris Moocarme, Stephen J. Hawkins, Louise B. Firth

Bioerosion
Biofouling
Succession
Ecosystem engineers
Biodegradation
Habitat-modifying

First assessment of biofouling assemblages in the northern Red Sea, an important region for marine non-indigenous species transfer

Research article Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2025.1522723

Authors: Juan Sempere-Valverde, Eva Aylagas, Vitaly Syomin, Marcos A. L. Teixeira, Glafira D. Kolbasova, Sofía Ruiz-Velasco, Sahar Chebaane, Arthur Anker, João Cúrdia, Ronald Cadiz, Dylan M. Cottrell, Andrea Desiderato, Luiz F. Andrade, Chakkiath Paul Antony, Carolina Bocanegra-Castano, Matilde Marzucchi, Angelo Poliseno, Doaa Baker, Basmah Alabdulaziz, Flor Torres, Ameer A. Eweida, Susana Carvalho

The spread of Aoroides longimerus Ren & Zheng, 1996 across the Mediterranean and the Atlantic: genetic diversity, anthropogenic transport, and ecological implications

Research article Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.12681/mms.41784

Authors: José Manuel Guerra-García, Andrea Desiderato, SERENA MUCCIOLO, Carlos Navarro-Barranco, Macarena ROS, Jasmine Ferrario, Paula Moretti, Agnese Marchini, Nawfel Mosbahi, Sofía RUIZ-VELASCO, Ignacio Gestoso, PATRÍCIO RAMALHOSA, JOÃO CANNING-CLODE, Celia Olabarria, Eva Cacabelos, JESÚS S. TRONCOSO, Jean-Philippe Pezy, Aurore Raoux, Jean-Claude Dauvin, MATHILDE CHARBONNELLE, Ferdinand Schlicklin, Hiroyuki Ariyama, Emanuele MANCINI, Andrea BONIFAZI, Vincent Le Garrec, Thomas Burel, Benoit GOUILLIEUX, CRISTINA ESPÍRITO SANTO, Paula Chainho, ROMEU S. RIBEIRO, INÊS AFONSO, Yanrong Wang, JEAN-CHARLES LECLERC, Marine Moal, CÉLINE HOUBIN, FRÉDÉRIQUE VIARD, ERIC THIÉBAUT, Victoria FERNANDEZ-GONZALEZ, SANDRA NAVARRO-MAYORAL, SONIA DÍAZ-VERGARA, ARJAN GITTENBERGER, LAUREN ELIZABETH HUGHES, MARIA LAMPA, GIORGOS CHATZIGEORGIOU, WANDA PLAITIS, Francesco TIRALONGO, Gemma MARTÍNEZ-LAIZ, M. PILAR CABEZAS, Sofia Duarte, JOÃO P.R. PINHEIRO, GIOVANNA O. REIS, Triana REVANALES, SEMPERE-VALVERDE JUAN, Eva Aylagas, ANGELO POLISENO, Sahar CHEBAANE, Susana CARVALHO, Vasilis GEROVASILEIOU, INMACULADA FRUTOS, Pablo SAENZ-ARIAS

Early detection
Non-indigenous
Taxonomic expertise
Amphipoda
Scientific collaboration
aquaculture recreational boating

A multi-method assessment of elasmobranch diversity and abundance in the southern Red Sea

Research article Year: 2026 DOI:https://doi-org.kaust.idm.oclc.org/10.1016/j.jembe.2025.152159

Authors: Eloise B. Richardson, Eva Aylagas, Laura Gajdzik, Royale S. Hardenstine, Jesse E.M. Cochran, Stephania Palacios-Narváez, Carolina Bocanegra, Chakkiath Paul Antony, Michael L. Berumen

BRUVS
UAVS
eDNA
Rays
Sharks
Coral reef
Red Sea

Coral probiotics induce tissue-specific and putative beneficial microbiome restructuring in a coral-dwelling fish

Research article Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/ismeco/ycaf052

Authors: Joao G. D. Rosado, Nathalia Delgadillo-Ordoñez, Matteo Monti, Viktor Nunes Peinemann, Chakkiath Paul Antony, Ahmed Alsaggaf, Inês Raimundo, Darren Coker, Neus Garcias-Bonet, Francisca C García, Raquel S Peixoto, Susana Carvalho, Michael L. Berumen

Effects of salinity stress on Acropora sp. and Stylophora pistillata in the Red Sea: A pre-construction risk assessment for desalination plants

Research article Year: 2025 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2025.119328

Authors: Micaela S.S. Justo, Laura Beenham, Joao Curdia, Marta Cunha, Fern Lyne, Rita Bartossek, Carla Leite, Edwin Palmer, Edward Oldmeadow, Raquel S. Peixoto, Rosa Freitas, Michael L. Berumen, Susana Carvalho

Brine discharge
Red Sea
Coral health
Physiological and biochemical effects
Reef conservation
Water management

Widespread inconsistency in logger deployment methods in coral reef studies may bias perceptions of thermal regimes

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pclm.0000517

Authors: Walter Ambrose Rich, Jess S Glanz, Gage Mele, Nicole J. Burt, Susana Carvalho, Steve S. Doo, Elizabeth A. Goergen, Erik C. Krieger, Lena Li, Eslam O. Osman, David J. Suggett, Maggie D. Johnson, Michael. D. Fox

Environmental monitoring
Logger
Measurements
Environmental parameters

Broad-scale spatial distribution patterns of soft-sediment macrobenthic communities in the Red Sea

Research article Year: 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2023.1072342

Authors: Susana Carvalho, Zahra Alsafar, Joanne I. Ellis, Hamed Alghamdi, Joao Curdia

Habitat heterogeneity
Geographical distance
Environmental distance
Subtropics
Macrofauna assemblages
Beta-diveristy
Distribution patterns

Quick spreading of the exotic amphipod Laticorophium baconi (Shoemaker, 1934): another small stowaway overlooked?

Research article Year: 2023 DOI:doi:10.12681/mms.35817

Authors: José Manuel Guerra-García, Triana REVANALES, Pablo SAENZ-ARIAS, Carlos NAVARRO-BARRANCO, Sofía RUIZ-VELASCO, María PASTOR-MONTERO, Juan SEMPERE-VALVERDE, Sahar CHEBAANE, Alberto VÉLEZ-RUIZ, Gemma MARTÍNEZ-LAIZ, Mar SANTOS-SIMÓN, Jasmine FERRARIO, Agnese MARCHINI, Ola Mohamed NOUR, Benoit GOUILLIEUX, Andrew Mark HOSIE, Vasilis GEROVASILEIOU, Susana CARVALHO, Paolo BALISTRERI, Benedetto SIRCHIA, Vincenzo RUVOLO, Emanuele MANCINI, Andrea BONIFAZI, Jonathan TEMPESTI, Francesco TIRALONGO, Sara IGNOTO, Victoria FERNANDEZ-GONZALEZ, Maite VÁZQUEZ-LUIS, María del Pilar CABEZAS, Macarena ROS

Early detection
Non-indigenous
Amphipoda
Taxonomic expertise
Scientific collaboration
Anthropogenic dispersal

Interaction effects of crude oil and nutrient exposure on settlement of coral reef benthos

Research article Year: 2022 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114352

Authors: Ann Marie Hulver, Alexandra Steckbauer, Joanne I. Ellis, Eva Aylagas, Florian Roth, Najeh Kharbatia, Timothy Thomson, Susana Carvalho, Burton Jones, Michael Lee Berumen

Nutrients
Multiple stressors
Oil pollution
Coral reefs
Pioneer communities
Red Sea

Horizon scanning the application of probiotics for wildlife

Review Year: 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tim.2023.08.012

Authors: Neus Garcia-Bonet, Anna Roik, Braden Tierney, Francisca C García, Helena D M Villela, Ashley M. Dungan, Kate M. Quigley, Michael Sweet, Gabriele Berg, Lone Gram, David G. Bourne, Blake Ushijima, Maggie Sogin, Lone Hoj, Gustavo Duarte, Heribert Hirt, Kornelia Smalla, Alexandre S. Rosado, Susana Carvalho, Rebecca Vega Thurber, Maren Ziegler, Christopher E. Mason, Madeleine J.H. van Oppen, Christian R. Voolstra, Raquel S. Peixoto

Probiotics
Microbial therapies
Biodiversity decline
Conservation
Restoration
Rehabilitation
Negative control
Wildlife
Placebo
Corals
Amphibians
Bees
Bats
Emergent interventions

Hurdles and opportunities in implementing marine biosecurity systems in data-poor regions

Perspective paper Year: 2023 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1093/biosci/biad056

Authors: Susana Carvalho, Hailey Shchepanik, Eva Aylagas, Michael L. Berumen, Filipe O. Costa, Mark John Costello, Sofia Duarte, Jasmine Ferrario, Oliver Floern, Moritz Heinle, Stelios Katsanevakis, Agnese Marchini, Sergej Olenin, John K. Pearman, Raquel S Peixoto, Lotfi J. Rabaoui, Greg Ruiz, Greta Srebaliene, Thomas W Therriault, Pedro E Vieira, Anastasija Zaiko

Non-indigenous species
Biosecurity
Biosecurity frameworks
Bioinvasions
Marine
Biosecurity guidelines

Seasonality of methane and carbon dioxide emissions in tropical seagrass and unvegetated ecosystems

Research article Year: 2023 DOI:10.1038/s43247-023-00759-9

Authors: Vincent Saderne, Aislinn Francesca Dunne, Walter Ambrose Rich, Ronald Cadiz, Susana Carvalho, Joao Curdia, Alexander Kattan

Climate change
Red Sea
Seagrasses
Methane

Genome analysis of a coral-associated bacterial consortium highlights complementary hydrocarbon degradation ability and other beneficial mechanisms for the host

Research article Year: 2023 DOI:10.1038/s41598-023-38512-z

Authors: Helena Villela, Flúvio Modolon, Júnia Schultz, Nathalia Delgadillo-Ordoñez, Susana Carvalho, Adriana Ururahy Soriano, Raquel S Peixoto

PAH
Oil-degrading bacteria
Genome-based framework
Coral reefs
Bacteria

Baseline for marine cave monitoring strategies in the Alboran Sea using modified Cave Ecosystem-Based Quality Index (CavEBQI)

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.117065

Authors: Pablo Lanza-Arroyo, Juan Sempere-Valverde, Markos Digenis, José Miguel Remón, Diego Moreno, Agustín Barrajón, Antonio de la Linde, Maria del Carmen Arroyo, Manuel Fernández-Casado, Eugenio Mallofret, Luis Sánchez-Tocino, Vasilis Gerovasileiou

Marine caves
Ecological quality
Environmental monitoring
Alboran Sea

Differential spatio-temporal responses of Red Sea coral reef benthic communities to a mass bleaching event

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-74956-7

Authors: Karla Gonzalez, Nauras Daraghmeh, Diego Lozano-Cortés, Francesca Benzoni, Michael L. Berumen, Susana Carvalho

Coral reefs
Benthic communities
Bleaching
Community changes
Red Sea
DHW

Changes in benthic communities in Blagopoluchiya Bay (Novaya Zemlya, Kara Sea): the influence of the snow crab

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10530-024-03388-1

Authors: Alexey A. Udalov, Ivan M. Anisimov, Alexander B. Basin, Gennady V. Borisenko, Sergey V. Galkin, Vitaly L. Syomin, Sergey A. Shchuka, Miloslav I. Simakov, Anna K. Zalota, Margarita V. Chikina

Alien species
Chionoecetes opilio
Macrofauna
Megafauna
Video observations
Arctic fjord

Vertical distribution patterns of macrofauna in the sediments of the Arctic cross-shelf trough and adjacent shelf - Similarities and differences from lower latitudes

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsr.2024.104315

Authors: Vitaly L. Syomin, Olga L. Zimina, Alexey A. KrylovAlexey A. Krylov, Ivan O. Nekhaev, Victor A. Bogin, Vladimir Yu. Zakharov

Zoobenthos
Vertical distribution
Sediment properties
Community structure
Niche partitioning
Arctic
North Barents Sea
Franz Victoria through

Global mesozooplankton communities show lower connectivity in deep oceanic layers

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1111/mec.17286

Authors: Oriol Canals, Jon Correl, Ernesto Villarino, Guillem Chust, Eva Aylagas, Iñaki Mendibil, Craig T. Michell, Juan Ignacio González-Gordillo, Xabier Irigoien, Naiara Rodríguez-Ezpeleta

Connectivity
Deep ocean
Dispersal
Environmental selection
Oceanic currents
Zooplankton

Dietary partitioning among three cryptobenthic reef fish mesopredators revealed by visual analysis, metabarcoding of gut content, and stable isotope analysis

Research article Year: 2024 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/edn3.541

Authors: Stephania Palacios-Narváez, Darren J Coker, Eva Aylagas, Viktor Nunes Peinemann, Micaela S.S. Justo, Matthew D. Tietbohl, Carolina Bocanegra, Chakkiath Paul Antony, Michael L. Berumen

Dietary niche breadth
DNA metabarcoding
Fish stomach content
High-throughputsequencing
Stable isotopes
Trophic ecology

/PUBLICATIONS

Scientific Insights

Explore our latest research and findings that drive marine conservation and innovation. From groundbreaking studies to insightful reviews, our publications reflect our commitment to advancing marine science and policy.

KAUST Information

About BEM Lab