Click here for a list of all Leys publications on Google Scholar
  1. Mah JL, SP Leys (2017). Think like a sponge: The genetic signal of sensory cells in sponges. Developmental Biology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ydbio.2017.06.012 (PDF)
  2. Leys SP, Kahn AS, Fang JKH, Kutti T, Bannister RJ (2017). Phagocytosis of microbial symbionts balances the carbon and nitrogen budget for the deep‐water boreal sponge Geodia barretti. Limnology and Oceanogrraphy (PDF)
  3. Ludeman DA, Reidenbach MA, SP Leys (2017). The energetic cost of filtration by demosponges and their behavioural response to ambient currents. Journal of Experimental Biology 220:995-1007 (PDF).
  4. Brown RR, Davis C, SP Leys (2017) Clones or clans: the genetic structure of a deep sea sponge, Aphrocallistes vastus, in unique sponge reefs of British Columbia, Canada. Molecular Ecology 26(4):1045-1059.  (PDF)
  5. Kahn AS and SP Leys (2017). Spicule and flagellated chamber formation in a growth zone of Aphrocallistes vastus (Porifera, Hexactinellida). Invertebrate Biology (PDF)
  6. Kahn AS and SP Leys (2016). The role of cell replacement in benthic pelagic coupling by suspension feeders. Royal Society Open Science R. Soc. open sci. 2016 3 160484; DOI: 10.1098/rsos.160484. (PDF)
  7. Leys SP, Kamarul Zaman A, and Boury-Esnault N (2016). Three-dimensional fate mapping of larval tissues through metamorphosis in the glass sponge Oopsacas minuta. Invertebrate Biology 135(3):259-272. (PDF)
  8. Kahn AS, Vehring L, Brown R & Leys SP (2016). Dynamic change, recruitment and resilience in reef-forming glass sponges. Journal of the Marine Biology Association (UK) 96:429-436. (PDF)
  9. Leys, SP and Farrar N (2016) Porifera. In: Structure and Function of Invertebrate Nervous Systems. Editors: Andreas Schmidt-Rheasa, Steffen Harzsch, Gunter Purschke, Oxford University Press. Page 9-17. (PDF)
  10. Maldonado M, Aguilar R, Bannister R, Bell J, Conway K, Dayton P, Díaz C, Gutt J, Kelly M, Kenchington E, Leys SP, Pomponi S, Rapp H, Rützler K, Tendal O, Vacelet J & Young C (2016). Sponge Grounds as Key Marine Habitats: A Synthetic Review of Types, Structure, Functional Roles, and Conservation Concerns. In: Marine Animal Forests: The Ecology of Benthic Biodiversity Hotspots. Rossi S, Bramanti L, Gori A, Orejas Saco del Valle C, eds. pp. 1-39. Springer International Publishing.
  11. Dunn, Casey W, Leys SP, and Haddock SHD (2015). The hidden biology of sponges and ctenophores. Trends in Ecology & Evolution 30(5):282-291 PDF
  12. Leys SP (2015). Elements of a ‘nervous system’ in sponges. The Journal of Experimental Biology 218(4):581-591 PDF
  13. Kahn AS, Yahel G, Chu JWF, Tunicliffe V, and SP Leys (2015). Benthic grazing and carbon sequestration by deep-water glass sponge reefs. Limnology and Oceanography 60(1):78-88. (PDF)
  14. Eerkes-Medrano D, Feehan C, and SP Leys (2015). Sponge cell aggregation: checkpoints in development indicate a higher level of organismal complexity. Invertebrate Biology (DOI:10.1111/ivb.12072).
  15. Mentel M, Roettger M, Leys S, Tielens AGM, Martin WF (2014) Of early animals, anaerobic mitochondria, and a modern sponge. BioEssays 36: 924-932. (PDF)
  16. ​Riesgo A, Farrar N, Windsor PJ, Giribet G, and SP Leys. (2014). The analysis of eight transcriptomes from all Poriferan classes reveals surprising genetic complexity in sponges. Molecular Biology and Evolution. doi:10.1093/molbev/msu057 (PDF)
  17. Mah JL, Christensen-Dalsgaard KK, and SP Leys (2014). Choanoflagellate and choanocyte collar-flagellar systems and the assumption of homology. Evolution and Development 16:25-37 (PDF)
  18. Ludeman DA, Farrar N, Riesgo A, Paps, J and SP Leys (2014). Evolutionary origins of sensation in metazoans: functional evidence for a new sensory organ in sponges. BMC Evolutionary Biology 14(3) DOI: 10.1186/10.1186/1471-2148-14-3. (PDF)
  19. Brown RR, Davis CS, SP Leys (2013). SNP discovery in a reef-forming glass sponge, Aphrocallistes vastus, using the Ion Torrent next generation sequencing platform. Conservation Genetics Resources. DOI 10.1007/s12686-013-0073-8
  20. Leys, SP (2013). Effects of sediment on glass sponges (Porifera, Hexactinellida) and projected effects on glass sponge reefs. DFO Can. Sci. Advis. Sec. Res. Doc. 2013/23 p.
  21. Leys, SP and A. Hill (2012). Chapter one - The Physiology and Molecular Biology of Sponge Tissues. Advances in Marine Biology. Special Issue Editors: M. J. U. M. M. Mikel A. Becerro and T. Xavier, Academic Press. 62: 1-56.
  22. Chu, J. W. F. and SP Leys (2012). The dorid nudibranchs Peltodoris lentiginosa and Archidoris odhneri as predators of glass sponges." Invertebrate Biology: DOI: 10.1111/j.1744-7410.2012.00262.x.
  23. Leys SP, Yahel G, Reidenbach MA, Tunnicliffe V, Shavit U, and HM Reiswig (2011). The sponge pump: the role of current induced flow in the design of the sponge body plan. PLoS One. 6(12): e27787 
  24. Riesgo A, Perez-Porro AR, Carmona S, Leys SP and G Giribet (2011). Optimization of preservation and storage time of sponge tissues to obtain quality mRNA for Next-Generation Molecular Ecology Resources. doi: 10.1111/j.1755-0998.2011.03097.x
  25. Leys SP and A Riesgo (2011). Epithelia, an evolutionary novelty of metazoans. Journal of Experimental Zoology. Molecular and Developmental Evolution. 314B, doi: 10.1002/jez.b.21442. (PDF)
  26. Chu JWF, Maldonado, M., Yahel, G., and SP Leys (2011). Glass sponge reefs as a silicon sink. Marine Ecology Progress Series. 441: 1–14. doi: 10.3354/meps09381.
  27. Adams EDM, Goss, GG and SP Leys (2010). Freshwater sponges have functional, sealing epithelia with high transepithelial resistance and negative transepithelial potential. PLoS One.  5(11): e15040 doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0015040 (PDF)
  28. Holstein K, Rivera A, Windsor PJ, Ding S, Leys SP, Hill M and A Hill (2010). Expansion, diversification and expression of T-box family genes in Porifera. Development Genes and Evolution. Doi: 10.1007/s00427-010-0344-2
  29. Chu JWF and SP Leys (2010). High resolution mapping of community structure in three glass sponge reefs (Porifera, Hexactinellida). Marine Ecology Progress Series. 417: 97-113.
  30. Windsor, PJ and SP Leys (2010). Disruption of polarity in a sponge: evidence for an ancient origin of the organizer. Evolution & Development. 12(5):481-490.
  31. Srivastava, M, Simakov, O, Chapman, J, Fahey, B, Gauthier, EA, Mitros, T, Richards, GS, Conaco, C, Dacre, M, Hellsten, U, Larroux, C, Putnam, NH, Stanke, M, Adamska, M, Darling ,A, Degnan, SM, Oakley, T, Plachetzki, D, Zhai, Y, Adamski, M, Calcino, A, Cummins, SF, Goodstein, DM, .Harris, C, Jackson, D, Leys, SP, Shu, S, Woodcroft, BJ, Vervoort, M, Kosik, KS, Manning, G, Degnan, BM and DS Rokhsar (2010). The Amphimedon queenslandica genome and the origin of animal complexity. Nature 466 (7307)
  32. Elliott, GRD, and SP Leys (2010). Evidence for Glutamate, GABA and NO in coordinating behaviour in the sponge Ephydatia muelleri (Demospongiae, Spongillidae). Journal of Experimental Biology 213(13): 2310-2321.
  33. Collin, R, Mobley, AS, Lopez, LB, Leys, SP, Diaz, MC and RW Thacker (2010). Phototactic responses of larvae from the marine sponges Neopetrosia proxima. Invertebrate Biology 129(2): 121–128.
  34. Leys, SP, Nichols, SA, and EDM Adams (2009). Epithelia and integration in sponges. Integrative and Comparative Biology 49(2):167-177.
  35. Philippe, H, Derelle, R, Lopez, P, Pick, K, Borchiellini, C, Boury-Esnault, N, Vacelet, J, Renard, E, Houliston, E, Queinnec, E, Da Silva, C, Winicker, P, Le Guyader, H, Leys, S, Jackson, DJ, Schrieber, F, Erpenbeck, D, Morgenstern, B, Worheide, G, Manuel, M. 2009. Phylogenomics Revives Traditional views on deep animal relationships. Current Biology doi:10.1016/j.cub.2009.02.052
  36. Tompkins-MacDonald, GJ, Gallin, WJ, Sakaraya, O., Degnan, B., Leys, SP, and LM Boland, 2009. Expression of a poriferan potassium channel: Insights into the evolution of metazoan ion channels. Journal of Experimental Biology 212: 761-767
  37. Leys, S.P, Larroux, C, Gauthier M, Adamska M, Fahey B, Richards GS, Degnan SM, and BM Degnan, 2008. Isolation of Amphimedon Developmental Material. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. Doi: 10.1101/pdb.prot5095.
  38. Degnan BM, Adamska M, Craigie A, Degnan SM, Fahey B, Gauthier M, Hooper JNA, Larroux C,  Leys SP, Lovas E, and GS Richards, 2008. The Demosponge Amphimedon queenslandica: Reconstructing the Ancestral Metazoan Genome and Deciphering the Origin of Animal Multicellularity. Cold Spring Harbor Protocols. Doi: 10.1101/pdb.emo108.
  39. Tompkins MacDonald, G.J. and Leys, S.P. 2008. Glass sponges arrest pumping in response to sediment: implications for the physiology of the hexactinellid conduction system. Marine Biology 154(6): 973-984 (PDF)
  40. Rosengarten, R.D., Sperling, E.A., Moreno, M.M., Leys, S.P., S.L. Dellaporta 2008. The mitochondrial genome of the hexactinellid sponge Aphrocallistes vastus: Evidence for programmed translational frameshifting. BMC Genomics 9:33 doi:10.1186/1471-2164-9-33
  41. Riesgo, A., Taylor, C., and Leys, S.P. 2007. Reproduction in a carnivorous sponges: implications of gametogenesis in the absence of an aquiferous system. Evolution and Development. 9(6):618-631. [NSERC]
  42. Elliott G.R.D. and Leys, S.P. 2007. Coordinated behaviour in a freshwater sponge: orchestrated contractions effectively expel water from the aquiferous system. Journal of Experimental Biology. 210:3736-3748.
  43. Leys, S.P. 2007. Sponge coordination, tissues, and the evolution of gastrulation. Porifera Research: Biodiversity, Innovation and Sustainability. Proceedings of the 7th International Porifera Congress, Buzios, Brazil. [NSERC]
  44. Leys, S.P., Mackie, G.O., and Reiswig, H.M. 2007. The biology of glass sponges. Advances in Marine Biology 52: 1-145.
  45. Yahel, G., Whitney, F., Reiswig, H.M., Eerkes-Medrano, D.I., and Leys, S.P. 2007. In situ feeding and metabolism in glass sponges (Hexactinellida, Porifera) studied in a deep temperate fjord with a remotely operated submersible. Limnology and Oceanography 52(1): 428-440.
  46. Yahel, G., Eerkes-Medrano, D.I. and Leys, S.P. 2006. Size independent selective filtration of ultraplankton by hexactinellid glass sponges. Aquatic Microbial Ecology 45: 181-194.
  47. Leys, S.P. and Eerkes-MedranoD.I. 2006. Feeding in a calcareous sponge. Particle uptake by pseudopodia. Biological Bulletin (Woods Hole) 211: 157-171.
  48. Eerkes-Medrano, D.I. and Leys, S.P. 2006. Ultrastructure and embryonic development of a syconoid calcareous sponge. Invertebrate Biology 125(3):177-194.
  49. Larroux, C., Fahey, B., Liubicich, D., Hinman, V.F., Gauthier, M., Gongora, M., Wörheide, G., Leys, S.P., Degnan, B.M. 2006. Developmental expression of transcription factor genes in a demosponge: insights into the origin of metazoan multicellularity. Evolution & Development 8(2): 50-173.
  50. Leys, S.P. and Ereskovsky, A.V. 2006. Embryogenesis and larval differentiation in sponges. Canadian Journal of Zoolology 84(2): 262-287.
  51. Leys, S.P. and Meech, R.W. 2006. Physiology of coordination in sponges. Canadian Journal of Zoolology 84(2): 288-306.
  52. Leys, S.P., Cheung, E.C., Boury-Esnault, N. 2006. Embyrogenesis in the glass sponge Oopsacas minuta: formation of syncytia by fusion of blastomeres. Integrative and Comparative Biology 46(2): 104-117.
  53. Leys, S.P. and Austin, B.A. Sponges. 2006. In: Encyclopedia of Tidepools. (M.W. Denny and S.D. Gaines eds).
  54. Leys, S.P. and Eerkes-Medrano, D. I. 2005. Gastrulation in calcareous sponges: in search of Haeckel’s Gastraea. Integrative and Comparative Biolology 45(2): 342-351.
  55. Degnan, B.M., Leys, S.P. and Larroux, C. 2005. Sponge development and antiquity of animal pattern formation. Integrative and Comparative Biology 45(2): 335-341.
  56. Leys, S.P., Rokhsar, D.S. and Degnan, B.M. 2005. Quick Guide: Sponges. Current Biology 15:R114-R115.
  57. Leys, S.P., Wilson, K., Holeton, C., Reiswig, H.M., Austin, B., and Tunnicliffe, V. 2004. Patterns of glass sponge (Porifera, Hexactinellida) distribution in coastal waters of British Columbia, Canada.  Marine Ecology Progress Series 283:133-149.
  58. Leys S.P. 2004. Gastrulation in sponges. In: Gastrulation: from cells to embryos (ed. C. Stern). Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, New York. Pp. 23-31.
  59. Leys, S.P. and H.M. Reiswig, 2004. Hexactinellida. In: Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition.Volume 2, Lower Metazoans and Deuterostomes, edited by Michael Hutchins, Dennis Thoney, and Neil Schlager.  Farmington Hills, MI: Gale Group. Pp 67-76.
  60. Elliott G.R.D., Macdonald T.A. and Leys, S.P. 2004. Sponge larval phototaxis: a comparative study. Bollettino dei Musei e degli Istituti Biologici dell'Universita di Genova. 68:291-300.
  61. Schröder, H.C., Krasko, A., Gundacker, D., Leys, S.P., Müller, I.M., and Müller, W.E.G., 2003. Molecular and functional analysis of the (6-4) photolyase from the hexactinellid Aphrocallistes vastus. Biochimica et Biophysica Acta 1651(1-2):41-9.
  62. Leys, S.P. 2003.  A comparative study of spiculogenesis in demosponge and hexactinellid larvae. Microscopy Research and Technique 62:300-311.
  63. Leys, S.P. 2003.  The significance of syncytial tissues for the position of the Hexactinellida in the Metazoa. Integrative and Comparative Biology 43:19-27.
  64. Leys, S.P., and B.M. Degnan, 2002. Embryogenesis and metamorphosis in a haplosclerid demosponge: gastrulation and transdifferentiation of larval ciliated cells to choanocytes. Invertebrate Biology 121:171-189.
  65. Jackson, D., Leys, S.P., Hinman, V.F., Woods, R., Lavin, M.F. and B. M. Degnan, 2002. Environmental regulation of development: induction of marine invertebrate metamorphosis. International Journal of Developmental Biology 46:679-686.
  66. Leys, S.P., Cronin, T.W., Degnan, B.M. and J.M. Marshall, 2002. Spectral sensitivity in a sponge larva. Journal of Comparative Physiology - A 188:199-202.
  67. Leys, S.P. and B.M. Degnan, 2001. The cytological basis of photoresponsive behaviour in a sponge larva. Biological Bulletin, Woods Hole 201:323-338.
  68. Gundacker, D., Leys, S.P., Schröder, H.C., Müller, I.M. and W.E.G. Müller, 2001. Isolation and cloning of the C-type lectin from the hexactinellid sponge Aphrocallistes vastus: A species-unspecific aggregation factor. Glycobiology 11(1):21-29.
  69. Leys, S.P. 1999. The choanosome of hexactinellid sponges. Invertebrate Biology 118:221-235.
  70. Leys, S.P., Mackie, G.O. and R.W. Meech, 1999. Impulse conduction in a sponge. Journal of Experimental Biology 202: 1139-1150. PDF
  71. Leys, S.P. 1999. Introduction to Studies on Cell Adhesion Using Invertebrate Models. Microscopy Research and Technique 44:201-203.
  72. Leys, S.P. and H.M. Reiswig, 1998. Nutrient transport pathways in the neotropical sponge Aplysina. Biological Bulletin, Woods Hole 195:30-42.
  73. Leys, S.P. and R.J.N. Lauzon, 1998. The ecology of a deep sea sponge: growth and seasonality in Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni. Journal of  Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology 230:111-129.
  74. Kruse, M., Leys, S.P., Müller I.M., W.E.G. Müller, 1998. Phylogenetic position of the Hexactinellida within the phylum Porifera based on amino acid sequence of the protein kinase C from Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni. Journal of Molecular Evolution 46:721-728.
  75. Müller, W.E.G, Kruse, M., Koziol, C., and S.P. Leys, 1998. Evolution of early Metazoa: phylogenetic status of the Hexactinellida within the phylum of Porifera [sponges]. Progress in Molecular and Subcelular Biology 21:141-156.
  76. Leys, S.P., 1998. Fusion and cytoplasmic streaming are characteristic of at least two hexactinellid sponges. An examination of live tissue cultures from Aphrocallistes vastus. In: Sponge Sciences. Proc. International Conference on Sponge Science held at Lake Biwa Research Institute, Japan, March 1996, pp. 215-226. Springer-Verlag, Tokyo
  77. Leys, S.P. and G.O. Mackie, 1997. Electrical recording from a glass sponge. Nature 387:29-30. PDF
  78. Koziol, C., Leys, S.P., Müller, W.E.G. I.M, Müller, 1997. Cloning of Hsp70 genes from the marine sponges Sycon raphanus (Calcarea) and Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni (Hexactinellida). An approach to solve the phylogeny of sponges. Biological Journal of the Linnean Society 62:581-592.
  79. Leys, S.P., 1997. Sponge cell culture substrates: a comparative evaluation of their effects on adhesion. Tissue and Cell 29:77-87.
  80. Wyeth, R.C., Leys, S.P. and G.O. Mackie 1996. Use of sandwich cultures for the study of feeding in the hexactinellid sponge Rhabdocalyptus dawsoni (Lambe, 1892). Acta Zoologica 77(3):227-232.
  81. Leys, S.P. 1995. Cytoskeletal architecture and organelle transport in giant syncytia formed by fusion of hexactinellid sponge tissues. Biological Bulletin, Woods Hole 188:241-254.​