People

Post-doctoral Researcher – Global Change Institute (UQ) (2012-2017)
Post-doctoral Researcher – School of Biological Sciences (UQ) (2011-2012)

Pim is originally from the Netherlands where he completed a BSc in Biology at Utrecht University and a MSc in Limnology and Oceanography at the University of Amsterdam. After completing a PhD at The University of Queensland in 2011, he completed a one-year post-doctoral fellowship (2011-2012) at the School of Biological Sciences (UQ) based out at the Heron Island Research Station. Currently, he holds a position at the Global Change Institute (UQ) as lead scientist on the Deep Reef component of the Catlin Seaview Survey, and is a research fellow on the DSITIA Accelerate Partnership Grant “Coral genomes along environmental gradients”. He uses next-generation sequencing approaches to study the biodiversity and connectivity of mesophotic reefs across the globe, with a major focus on the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea and the Southern Caribbean.

Pim is the lead scientist for the “Deep Reef” component of the Catlin Seaview Survey (www.catlinseaviewsurvey.com) and is a post-doctoral researcher on the DSITIA Accelerate Partnership Grant “Coral genomes along environmental gradients”. He uses next-generation sequencing approaches to study the biodiversity and connectivity of mesophotic reefs across the globe, with a major focus on the Great Barrier Reef, the Coral Sea and the Southern Caribbean.

Selected Publications

Lower mesophotic coral communities (60-125 m depth) of the northern great barrier reef and coral sea

Englebert, Norbert, Bongaerts, Pim, Muir, Paul R., Hay, Kyra B., Pichon, Michel and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2017) Lower mesophotic coral communities (60-125 m depth) of the northern great barrier reef and coral sea.PLoS One, 12 2: . doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0170336

Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow–mesophotic gradient (15–85 m)

Glasl, Bettina, Bongaerts, Pim, Elisabeth, Nathalie H., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove , Herndl, Gerhard J. and Frade, Pedro R. (2017) Microbiome variation in corals with distinct depth distribution ranges across a shallow–mesophotic gradient (15–85 m).Coral Reefs, 1-6. doi:10.1007/s00338-016-1517-x

To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest?

Laverick, Jack H., Andradi-Brown, Dominic A., Exton, Dan A., Bongaerts, Pim, Bridge, Tom C. L., Lesser, Michael P., Pyle, Richard L., Slattery, Marc, Wagner, Daniel and Rogers, Alex D. (2016) To what extent do mesophotic coral ecosystems and shallow reefs share species of conservation interest?.Environmental Evidence, 5 1: . doi:10.1186/s13750-016-0068-5

The microbial signature provides insight into the mechanistic basis of coral success across reef habitats

Hernandez-Agreda, Alejandra, Leggat, William, Bongaerts, Pim and Ainsworth, Tracy D. (2016) The microbial signature provides insight into the mechanistic basis of coral success across reef habitats.mBio, 7 4: . doi:10.1128/mBio.00560-16

Navigating the currents of seascape genomics: how spatial analyses can augment population genomic studies

Riginos, Cynthia, Crandall, Eric D., Liggins, Libby, Bongaerts, Pim and Treml, Eric A. (2016) Navigating the currents of seascape genomics: how spatial analyses can augment population genomic studies.Current Zoology, 62 6: 581-601. doi:10.1093/cz/zow067

High coral cover at lower mesophotic depths: a dense Agaricia community at the leeward side of Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean

Hoeksema, Bert W., Bongaerts, Pim and Baldwin, Carole C. (2016) High coral cover at lower mesophotic depths: a dense Agaricia community at the leeward side of Curaçao, Dutch Caribbean.Marine Biodiversity, 1-4. doi:10.1007/s12526-015-0431-8

The coral core microbiome identifies rare bacterial taxa as ubiquitous endosymbionts

Ainsworth, Tracy D., Krause, Lutz, Bridge, Thomas, Torda, Gergely, Raina, Jean-Baptise, Zakrzewski, Martha, Gates, Ruth D., Padilla-Gamino, Jacqueline L., Spalding, Heather L., Smith, Celia, Woolsey, Erika S., Bourne, David G., Bongaerts, Pim, Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Leggat, William (2015) The coral core microbiome identifies rare bacterial taxa as ubiquitous endosymbionts.The ISME Journal, 9 10: 2261-2274. doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.39

The effect of seasonal temperature extremes on sediment rejection in three scleractinian coral species

Ganase, A., Bongaerts, P., Visser, P.M. and Dove, S.G. (2015) The effect of seasonal temperature extremes on sediment rejection in three scleractinian coral species.Coral Reefs, 35 1: 187-191. doi:10.1007/s00338-015-1359-y

Mobility and self-righting by a free-living mushroom coral through pulsed inflation

Hoeksema, Bert W. and Bongaerts, Pim. (2015) Mobility and self-righting by a free-living mushroom coral through pulsed inflation.Marine Biodiversity, 46 2: 521-524. doi:10.1007/s12526-015-0384-y

Deepest zooxanthellate corals of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea

Englebert, N., Bongaerts, P., Muir, P., Hay, K. B. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2015) Deepest zooxanthellate corals of the Great Barrier Reef and Coral Sea.Marine Biodiversity, 45 1: 1-2. doi:10.1007/s12526-014-0221-8

Diverse staghorn coral fauna on the mesophotic reefs of north-east Australia

Muir, Paul, Wallace, Carden, Bridge, Tom C. L. and Bongaerts, Pim (2015) Diverse staghorn coral fauna on the mesophotic reefs of north-east Australia.PLoS One, 10 2: . doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0117933

Prevalent endosymbiont zonation shapes the depth distributions of scleractinian coral species

Bongaerts, Pim, Carmichael, Margaux, Hay, Kyra B., Tonk, Linda, Frade, Pedro R. and High-Guldberg, Ove (2015) Prevalent endosymbiont zonation shapes the depth distributions of scleractinian coral species.Royal Society Open Science, 2 140297: 1-11. doi:10.1098/rsos.140297

Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix

Pantos, Olga, Bongaerts, Pim, Dennis, Paul G., Tyson, Gene W. and Hoegh-Guldberg, OVe (2015) Habitat-specific environmental conditions primarily control the microbiomes of the coral Seriatopora hystrix.The ISME Journal, 9 9: 1916-1927. doi:10.1038/ismej.2015.3

Deep down on a Caribbean reef: lower mesophotic depths harbor a specialized coral-endosymbiont community

Bongaerts, Pim, Frade, Pedro R., Hay, Kyra B., Englebert, Norbert, Latijnhouwers, Kelly R. W., Bak, Rolf P. M., Vermeij, Mark J. A. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2015) Deep down on a Caribbean reef: lower mesophotic depths harbor a specialized coral-endosymbiont community.Scientific Reports, 5 Art No.: 7652: . doi:10.1038/srep07652

The Catlin Seaview Survey – kilometre-scale seascape assessment, and monitoring of coral reef ecosystems

Gonzalez-Rivero, Manuel, Bongaerts, Pim, Beijbom, Oscar, Pizarro, Oscar, Friedman, Ariell, Rodriguez-Ramirez, Alberto, Upcroft, Ben, Laffoley, Dan, Kline, David, Bailhache, Christophe, Vevers, Richard and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2014) The Catlin Seaview Survey – kilometre-scale seascape assessment, and monitoring of coral reef ecosystems.Aquatic Conservation: Marine and Freshwater Ecosystems, 24 S2: 184-198. doi:10.1002/aqc.2505

Sharing the slope: depth partitioning of agariciid corals and associated Symbiodinium across shallow and mesophotic habitats (2-60 m) on a Caribbean reef

Bongaerts, Pim, Frade, Pedro R., Ogier, Julie J., Hay, Kyra B., van Bleijswijk, Judith, Englebert, Norbert, Vermeij, Mark J. A., Bak, Rolf P. M., Visser, Petra M. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2013) Sharing the slope: depth partitioning of agariciid corals and associated Symbiodinium across shallow and mesophotic habitats (2-60 m) on a Caribbean reef.BMC Evolutionary Biology, 13 1: 205.1-205.14. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-13-205

Call to protect all coral reefs

Bridge, Tom C. L., Hughes, Terry P., Guinotte, John M. and Bongaerts, Pim (2013) Call to protect all coral reefs.Nature Climate Change, 3 6: 528-530. doi:10.1038/nclimate1879

SymbioGBR: a web-based database of Symbiodinium associated with cnidarian hosts on the Great Barrier Reef

Tonk, Linda, Bongaerts, Pim, Sampayo, Eugenia M. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2013) SymbioGBR: a web-based database of Symbiodinium associated with cnidarian hosts on the Great Barrier Reef.Bmc Ecology, 13 1-7.9. doi:10.1186/1472-6785-13-7

Cyclone damage at mesophotic depths on Myrmidon Reef (GBR)

Bongaerts, P., Muir, P., Englebert, N., Bridge, T.C.L. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2013) Cyclone damage at mesophotic depths on Myrmidon Reef (GBR).Coral Reefs, 32 4: 935-935. doi:10.1007/s00338-013-1052-y

Mushroom corals overcome live burial through pulsed inflation

Bongaerts, P., Hay, K., Hoegh-Guldberg, O. and Hoeksema, B. W. (2012) Mushroom corals overcome live burial through pulsed inflation.Coral Reefs, 31 2: 399-399. doi:10.1007/s00338-011-0862-z

Diversity of Scleractinia and Octocorallia in the mesophotic zone of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Bridge, T. C. L., Fabricius, K. E., Bongaerts, P., Wallace, C. C., Muir, P. R., Done, T. J. and Webster, J. M. (2012) Diversity of Scleractinia and Octocorallia in the mesophotic zone of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.Coral Reefs, 31 1: 179-189. doi:10.1007/s00338-011-0828-1

The first record of Hippocampus denise (Syngnathidae) from Australia

Foster, Ralph, Bridge, Thomas C. L. and Bongaerts, Pim (2012) The first record of Hippocampus denise (Syngnathidae) from Australia.Aqua international Journal of Ichthyology, 18 1: 55-57.

Adaptive divergence in a scleractinian coral: physiological adaptation of Seriatopora hystrix to shallow and deep reef habitats

Bongaerts, Pim, Riginos, Cynthia, Hay, Kyra B., van Oppen, Madeleine J.H., Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove and Dove, Sophie (2011) Adaptive divergence in a scleractinian coral: physiological adaptation of Seriatopora hystrix to shallow and deep reef habitats.BMC Evolutionary Biology, 11 1: 1-46. doi:10.1186/1471-2148-11-303

Symbiodinium diversity in mesophotic coral communities on the Great Barrier Reef: a first assessment

Bongaerts, Pim, Sampayo, Eugenia M., Bridge, Thomas C. L., Ridgway, Tyrone, Vermeulen, Francisca, Englebert, Norbert, Webster, Jody M. and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2011) Symbiodinium diversity in mesophotic coral communities on the Great Barrier Reef: a first assessment.Marine Ecology-Progress Series, 439 117-126. doi:10.3354/meps09315

Mesophotic coral ecosystems on the walls of Coral Sea atolls

Bongaerts, P., Bridge, T.C.L., Kline, D.I., Muir, P.R., Wallace, C.C., Beaman, R.J. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2011) Mesophotic coral ecosystems on the walls of Coral Sea atolls.Coral Reefs, 30 2: 335-335. doi:10.1007/s00338-011-0725-7

The role of deep reefs in shallow reef recovery: An assessment of vertical connectivity in a brooding coral from west and east Australia

van Oppen, Madeleine J. H., Bongaerts, Pim, Underwood, Jim N., Peplow, Lesa M. and Cooper, Timothy F. (2011) The role of deep reefs in shallow reef recovery: An assessment of vertical connectivity in a brooding coral from west and east Australia.Molecular Ecology, 20 8: 1647-1660. doi:10.1111/j.1365-294X.2011.05050.x

Assessing the ‘deep reef refugia’ hypothesis: Focus on Caribbean reefs

Bongaerts, P., Ridgway, T., Sampayo, E. M. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2010) Assessing the ‘deep reef refugia’ hypothesis: Focus on Caribbean reefs.Coral Reefs, 29 2: 309-327. doi:10.1007/s00338-009-0581-x

Genetic divergence across habitats in the widespread coral Seriatopora hystrix and its associated Symbiodinium

Bongaerts, Pim, Riginos, Cynthia, Ridgway, Tyrone, Sampayo, Eugenia M., van Oppen, Madeleine J. H., Englebert, Norbert, Vermeulen, Francisca and Hoegh-Guldberg, Ove (2010) Genetic divergence across habitats in the widespread coral Seriatopora hystrix and its associated Symbiodinium.PLoS One, 5 5: e001087:1-e001087:11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0010871

In situ photobiology of corals over large depth ranges: A multivariate analysis on the roles of environment, host, and algal symbiont

Frade, P. R., Bongaerts, P., Winkelhagen, A. J. S., Tonk, L. and Bak, R. P. M. (2008) In situ photobiology of corals over large depth ranges: A multivariate analysis on the roles of environment, host, and algal symbiont.Limnology and Oceanography, 53 6: 2711-2723. doi:10.4319/lo.2008.53.6.2711

Bleaching susceptibility and mortality of corals are determined by fine-scale differences in symbiont type

Sampayo, E. M., Ridgway, T., Bongaerts, P. and Hoegh-Guldberg, O. (2008) Bleaching susceptibility and mortality of corals are determined by fine-scale differences in symbiont type.Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 105 30: 10444-10449. doi:10.1073/pnas.0708049105