Diatoms define a novel freshwater biogeography of the Antarctic

0544571 - BÚ 2022 RIV DK eng J - Journal Article
Verleyen, E. - Van de Vijver, B. - Tytgat, B. - Pinseel, E. - Hodgson, D. A. - Kopalová, Kateřina - Chown, S.L. - Van Ranst, E. - Imura, S. - Kudoh, S. - Van Nieuwenhuyze, W. - Sabbe, K. - Vyverman, W.
Diatoms define a novel freshwater biogeography of the Antarctic.
Ecography. Roč. 44, č. 4 (2021), s. 548-560. ISSN 0906-7590. E-ISSN 1600-0587
R&D Projects: GA MŠMT LTAIN19139
Institutional support: RVO:67985939
Keywords : Antarctica * biogeography * diatoms
OECD category: Ecology
Impact factor: 6.802, year: 2021
Method of publishing: Open access

Terrestrial biota in the Antarctic are more globally distinct and highly structured biogeographically than previously believed, but information on biogeographic patterns and endemism in freshwater communities is largely lacking. We studied biogeographic patterns of Antarctic freshwater diatoms based on the analysis of species occurrences in a dataset of 439 lakes spread across the Antarctic realm. Highly distinct diatom floras, both in terms of composition and richness, characterize Continental Antarctica, Maritime Antarctica and the sub-Antarctic islands, with marked biogeographic provincialism in each region. A total of 44% of all species is estimated to be endemic to the Antarctic, and most of them are confined to a single biogeographic region. The level of endemism significantly increases with increasing latitude and geographic isolation. Our results have implications for conservation planning, and suggest that successful dispersal of freshwater diatoms to and within the Antarctic is limited, fostering the evolution of highly endemic diatom floras.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0324926