Philippe Willenz

About me

I have been a teaching assistant at the Laboratoire de Biologie animale et cellulaire of the ULB until 1983, when I earned my PhD in Zoology with a thesis on the ultrastructural description of nutrition mechanisms of a freshwater sponge. From 1984 to 1987 I was a post doc in the Biology Department at Yale University, where I applied TEM and SEM techniques to better understand the taxonomical position of hypercalcified sponges from Jamaica and the Bahamas among demosponges and developed in situ techniques to record the growth rates of their massive skeletons. These were later used as climate change proxies after I joined the Taxonomy and Phylogeny Division of the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences (RBINS) in 1992. I developed several projects with Biomar as an invited scientist and co-advised several PhD students. Since 2004 I became involved with taxonomy of South American Porifera. Presently I am a Senior Scientist at RBINS and also a research collaborator at the Museu Nacional of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro Janeiro and Universidad Científica del Sur (Lima).

Projects

  • ESPER (Esponjas del Peru) (RBINS)
  • EsponjAS (Esponjas da América do Sul) (Museu Nacional Rio de Janeiro)
  • Evaluación de la Diversidad de Demospongiae (Phylum Porifera) de las costas central y sur del Perú (Universidad Científica del Sur)

Expertise

  1. Porifera histology and ultrastructure
  2. Underwater photography
  3. Taxonomy of Porifera

Publications

Cóndor-Luján, B., Arteaga, A., Polo, C., Arroyo, Y., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2023). Shallow Suberitida (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Peru. Zootaxa, 5264(4), 451–489. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5264.4.1
Cóndor-Luján, B., Arteaga, A., Polo, C., Arroyo, Y., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2023). Shallow Suberitida (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Peru. Zootaxa, 5264(4), 451–489. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5264.4.1
Salani, S., Willenz, P., Fernandez, J. C. C., & Hajdu, E. (2022). Three new Hymedesmia Bowerbank, 1864 (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Hymedesmiidae) from the Southeast Pacific (Peru and Chile). Zootaxa, 5165(2), 217–240. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5165.2.4
Bispo, A., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2022). Diving into the unknown: fourteen new species of haplosclerid sponges (Demospongiae: Haplosclerida) revealed along the Peruvian coast (Southeastern Pacific). Zootaxa, 5087(2), 201–252. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.5087.2.1
Cóndor-Luján, B., Leocorny, P., Padua, A., Azevedo, F., Seixas, V. C., Hooker, Y., Hajdu, E., Willenz, P., Pérez, T., & Klautau, M. (2021). Evolutionary history of the calcareous sponge Clathrina aurea: genetic connectivity in the Western Atlantic and intriguing occurrence in the Eastern Pacific. Marine Biology, 168(8), 127. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-021-03934-8
Arroyo, Y., Hajdu, E., Willenz, P., & Cóndor-Luján, B. (2020). First record of Ciocalypta Bowerbank, 1862 (Demospongiae, Suberitida, Halichondriidae) in the Eastern Pacific, with description of a new species from Peru. Zootaxa, 4853(3). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4853.3.6
Recinos, R., Pinheiro, U., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2020). Three new Raspailiidae Hentschel, 1923 (Axinellida, Demospongiae) from Peru. Zootaxa, 4778(3). https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4778.3.5
Cóndor-Luján, B., Azevedo, F., Hajdu, E., Hooker, Y., Willenz, P., & Klautau, M. (2019). Tropical Eastern Pacific Amphoriscidae Dendy, 1892 (Porifera: Calcarea: Calcaronea: Leucosolenida) from the Peruvian coast. Marine Biodiversity, 49(4), 1813–1830. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12526-019-00946-y
Vasconcellos, V., Willenz, P., Ereskovsky, A., & Lanna, E. (2019). Comparative ultrastructure of the spermatogenesis of three species of Poecilosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae). Zoomorphology, 138(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-018-0429-4
Stillitani, D., Ereskovsky, A. V., Laport, M. S., Hardoim, C., Puccinelli, G., Perez, T., Ruiz, C., Willenz, P., & Muricy, G. (2019). INTEGRATIVE TAXONOMY OF SYMPATRIC SPECIES OF OSCARELLA VOSMAER, 1887 FROM THE CABO FRIO REGION, IN SOUTHEAST BRAZIL (PORIFERA, HOMOSCLEROMORPHA). XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias Del Mar-COLACMAR 2019 Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores En Ciencias Del Mar-ALICMAR 4-8 Noviembre, Mar Del Plata, Argentina - Libro de Resumenes, 296.
Polo, C. L., Hajdu, E., Willenz, P., Francia-Quiroz, J. C., Moreno, B., & Condor-Lujan, B. (2019). Identificacion preliminar de las especies de Hymeniacidon (Proifera; Demospongiae) del Peru. XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias Del Mar-COLACMAR 2019 Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores En Ciencias Del Mar-ALICMAR 4-8 Noviembre, Mar Del Plata, Argentina - Libro de Resumenes, 678.
Condor-Lujan, B., Arroyo, Y., Arteaga, A., Polo, C. L., Sanchez, M. J., Francia-Quiroz, J. C., Moreno, B., Indacochea, A., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2019). NUEVOS REGISTROS DE DEMOSPONGIAE (PORIFERA) PARA LA COSTA CENTRO-SUR DEL PERÚ. XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias Del Mar-COLACMAR 2019 Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores En Ciencias Del Mar-ALICMAR 4-8 Noviembre, Mar Del Plata, Argentina - Libro de Resumenes, 107.
Arteaga, A., Indacochea, A., Francia-Quiroz, J. C., Moreno, B., Willenz, P., Hajdu, E., & Condor-Lujan, B. (2019). NUEVAS ESPECIES DE SUBERITES NARDO, 1833 (PORIFERA, DEMOSPONGIAE, SUBERITIDA) DE LAS ISLAS ASIA, PACHACAMAC Y SAN LORENZO (PERÚ). XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias Del Mar-COLACMAR 2019 Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores En Ciencias Del Mar-ALICMAR 4-8 Noviembre, Mar Del Plata, Argentina - Libro de Resumenes, 351.
Arteaga, A., Indacochea, A., Venturini, N., Serpa, L., Moreno, B., Quipuzcoa, L., Willenz, P., Hajdu, E., & Condor-Lujan, B. (2019). ESPONJAS DE LA ISLA REY JORGE Y CERCANÍAS, ISLAS SHETLAND DEL SUR, ANTÁRTIDA. XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias Del Mar-COLACMAR 2019 Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores En Ciencias Del Mar-ALICMAR 4-8 Noviembre, Mar Del Plata, Argentina - Libro de Resumenes, 352.
Arroyo, Y., Hajdu, E., Willenz, P., & Condor-Lujan, B. (2019). Primer Registro de Ciocalypta Bowerbank, 1962 (Proifer, Demospongiae, Suberitida, Halichondriidae) en el Pácifico Este y descripción de une especie nueva. XVIII Congreso Latinoamericano de Ciencias Del Mar-COLACMAR 2019 Asociación Latinoamericana de Investigadores En Ciencias Del Mar-ALICMAR 4-8 Noviembre, Mar Del Plata, Argentina - Libro de Resumenes, 350.
Vasconcellos, V., Willenz, P., Ereskovsky, A., & Lanna, E. (2019). Comparative ultrastructure of the spermatogenesis of three species of Poecilosclerida (Porifera, Demospongiae). Zoomorphology, 138, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-018-0429-
Laport, M. S., Bauwens, M., de Oliveira Nunes, S., Willenz, P., George, I., & Muricy, G. (2017). Culturable bacterial communities associated to Brazilian Oscarella species (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) and their antagonistic interactions. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 110(4), 489–499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-016-0818-y
Laport, M. S., Bauwens, M., De Oliveira Nunes, S., Willenz, P., George, I., & Muricy, G. (2017). Culturable bacterial communities associated to Brazilian Oscarella species (Porifera: Homoscleromorpha) and their antagonistic interactions. Antonie van Leeuwenhoek, 110(4), 489–499. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10482-016-0818-y
Willenz, P., Ereskovsky, A. V., & Lavrov, D. V. (2016). Integrative taxonomic re-description of Halisarca magellanica and description of a new species of Halisarca (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Chilean Patagonia. Zootaxa, 4208(6), 501–533. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4208.6.1
Willenz, P., Ereskovsky, A. V., & Lavrov, D. V. (2016). Integrative taxonomic re-description of Halisarca magellanica and description of a new species of Halisarca (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Chilean Patagonia. Zootaxa, 4208(6), 501. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4208.6.1
Fernandez, J. C. C., Cárdenas, C. A., Bravo, A., Lôbo-Hajdu, G., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2016). Lissodendoryx (Ectyodoryx) Lundbeck, 1909 (Coelosphaeridae, Poecilosclerida, Demospongiae) from Southern Chile: new species and a discussion of morphologic characters in the subgenus. Zootaxa, 4092(1), 69–89. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.4092.1.4
Willenz, P., Ereskovsky, A. V., & Lavrov, D. V. (2016). Integrative taxonomic re-description of Halisarca magellanica and description of a new species of Halisarca (Porifera, Demospongiae) from Chilean Patagonia. Zootaxa, 4208, 501–533.
Hajdu, E., Hooker, Y., & Willenz, P. (2015). New Hamacantha from Peru and resurrection of Zygherpe as subgenus (Demospongiae, Poecilosclerida, Hamacanthidae). Zootaxa, 3926(1), 87. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3926.1.3
Azevedo, F., Cóndor-Luján, B., Willenz, P., Hajdu, E., Hooker, Y., & Klautau, M. (2015). Integrative taxonomy of calcareous sponges (subclass Calcinea) from the Peruvian coast: morphology, molecules, and biogeography: Calcinean sponges from Peru. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 173(4), 787–817. https://doi.org/10.1111/zoj.12213
Ereskovsky, A. V., Lavrov, D. V., & Willenz, P. (2014). Five new species of Homoscleromorpha (Porifera) from the Caribbean Sea and re-description of Plakina jamaicensis. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 94(2), 285–307. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315413000295
Hajdu, E., Desqueyroux-Faúndez, R., Carvalho, M. D. S., Lôbo-Hajdu, G., & Willenz, P. (2013). Twelve new Demospongiae (Porifera) from Chilean fjords, with remarks upon sponge-derived biogeographic compartments in the SE Pacific. Zootaxa, 3744(1), 1. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3744.1.1
Gilis, M., Grauby, O., Willenz, P., Dubois, P., Heresanu, V., & Baronnet, A. (2013). Corrigendum to “Biomineralization in living hypercalcified demosponges: Toward a shared mechanism?” [J. Struct. Biol. 183 (2013) 441–454]. Journal of Structural Biology, 184(2), 382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2013.09.005
Hassenrück, C., Jantzen, C., Försterra, G., Häussermann, V., & Willenz, P. (2013). Rates of apical septal extension of Desmophyllum dianthus: effect of association with endolithic photo-autotrophs. Marine Biology, 160(11), 2919–2927. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-013-2281-x
Gilis, M., Grauby, O., Willenz, P., Dubois, P., Heresanu, V., & Baronnet, A. (2013). Biomineralization in living hypercalcified demosponges: Toward a shared mechanism? Journal of Structural Biology, 183(3), 441–454. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2013.05.018
Gilis, M., Baronnet, A., Dubois, P., Legras, L., Grauby, O., & Willenz, P. (2012). Biologically controlled mineralization in the hypercalcified sponge Petrobiona massiliana (Calcarea, Calcaronea). Journal of Structural Biology, 178(3), 279–289. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2012.04.004
Gilis, M., Grauby, O., Willenz, P., Dubois, P., Legras, L., Heresanu, V., & Baronnet, A. (2011). Multi-scale mineralogical characterization of the hypercalcified sponge Petrobiona massiliana (Calcarea, Calcaronea). Journal of Structural Biology, 176(3), 315–329. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsb.2011.08.008
Aguirre, L. K., Hooker, Y., Willenz, P., & Hajdu, E. (2011). A new Clathria (Demospongiae, Microcionidae) from Peru occurring on rocky substrates as well as epibiontic on Eucidaris thouarsii sea urchins. Zootaxa, 3085(1), 41. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.3085.1.3
Gilis, M., Gosselin, P., Dubois, P., & Willenz, P. (2011). Seasonal modifications and morphogenesis of the hypercalcified sponge Petrobiona massiliana (Calcarea, Calcaronea). Invertebrate Biology, 130(3), 193–210. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1744-7410.2011.00239.x
Hermans, J., Borremans, C., Willenz, P., André, L., & Dubois, P. (2010). Temperature, salinity and growth rate dependences of Mg/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios of the skeleton of the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus (Lamarck): an experimental approach. Marine Biology, 157(6), 1293–1300. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00227-010-1409-5
Hermans, J., Dubois, P., Andre, L., Vacelet, J., & Willenz, P. (2010). Growth rate and chemical features of the massive calcium carbonate skeleton of Petrobiona massiliana (Baeriida: Calcaronea: Calcispongiae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 90(4), 749–754. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315409991081
Azevedo, F., Hajdu, E., Willenz, P., & Klautau, M. (2009). New records of Calcareous sponges (Porifera, Calcarea) from the Chilean coast. Zootaxa, 2072(1), 1–30. https://doi.org/10.11646/zootaxa.2072.1.1
Rosenheim, B. E., Swart, P. K., & Willenz, P. (2009). Calibration of sclerosponge oxygen isotope records to temperature using high-resolution δ18O data. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(18), 5308–5319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.047
Hermans, J., Dubois, P., Andre, L., Vacelet, J., & Willenz, P. (2009). Growth rate and chemical features of the massive calcium carbonate skeleton of Petrobiona massiliana (Baeriida: Calcaronea: Calcispongiae). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of United Kingdom, 90(4), 749–754.
Rosenheim, B. E., Swart, P. K., & Willenz, P. (2009). Calibration of sclerosponge oxygen isotope records to temperature using high-resolution δ18O data. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 73(18), 5308–5319. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gca.2009.05.047
Ereskovsky, A. V., & Willenz, P. (2008). Larval development in Guancha arnesenae (Porifera, Calcispongiae, Calcinea). Zoomorphology, 127(3), 175–187. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00435-008-0061-9
Brück, W. M., Sennett, S. H., Pomponi, S. A., Willenz, P., & McCarthy, P. J. (2008). Identification of the bacterial symbiont Entotheonella sp. in the mesohyl of the marine sponge Discodermia sp. The ISME Journal, 2(3), 335–339. https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2007.91
Brück, W. M., Sennett, S. H., Pomponi, S. A., Willenz, P., & McCarthy, P. J. (2008). Identification of the bacterial symbiont Entotheonella sp. in the mesohyl of the marine sponge Discodermia sp. The ISME Journal, 2(3), 335–339. https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2007.91
Ereskovsky, A. V., & Willenz, P. (2007). Esperiopsis koltuni sp. nov. (Demospongiae: Poecilosclerida: Esperiopsidae), a carnivorous sponge from deep water of the Sea of Okhotsk (North Pacific). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 87(6), 1379–1386. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0025315407058109
Gillikin, D. P., Lorrain, A., Bouillon, S., Willenz, P., & Dehairs, F. (2006). Stable carbon isotopic composition of Mytilus edulis shells: relation to metabolism, salinity, δ13CDIC and phytoplankton. Organic Geochemistry, 37(10), 1371–1382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2006.03.008
Gillikin, D. P., Lorrain, A., Bouillon, S., Willenz, P., & Dehairs, F. (2006). Stable carbon isotopic composition of Mytilus edulis shells: relation to metabolism, salinity, δ13CDIC and phytoplankton. Organic Geochemistry, 37(10), 1371–1382. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.orggeochem.2006.03.008
Hajdu, E., Desqueyroux-Faúndez, R., & Willenz, P. (2006). Clathria (Cornulotrocha) rosetafiordica sp. nov. from a south-east Pacific fjord (Chilean Patagonia) (Microcionidae: Poecilosclerida: Demospongiae: Porifera). Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom, 86, 957–961.
Willenz, P., & Hartman, W. (2004). Storage Cells and Spermatic Cysts in the Caribbean Coralline Sponge Goreauiella auriculata (Astroscleridae, Agelasida, Demospongiae): a Relationship ? Bollettino Dei Musei e Degli Istituti Biologici Della (R.) Università Di Genova, 68, 673–681.
Willenz, P., & Hartman, W. D. (2004). Storage Cells and Spermatic Cysts in the Caribbean Coralline Sponge Goreauiella auriculata (Astroscleridae, Agelasida, Demospongiae): A Relationship? Bollettino Dei Musei e Degli Istituti Biologici Dell’Universita Di Genova, 68(673–681), 673–681.
Rosenheim, B. E., Swart, P. K., Thorrold, S. R., Willenz, P., Berry, L., & Latkoczy, C. (2004). High-resolution Sr/Ca records in sclerosponges calibrated to temperature in situ. Geology, 32(2), 145. https://doi.org/10.1130/g20117.1