Past and present distribution of stoneworts (Characeae) in The Netherlands |
| |
Authors: | Jan Simons Emile Nat |
| |
Institution: | (1) School of Aquatic Science and Natural Resources Management, Deakin University, P.O. Box 423, 3280 Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia |
| |
Abstract: | Across the world there is a prevailing view that freshwater algae are cosmopolitan. The notion has seldom been tested and
is unlikely to be true in genetic terms. Nonetheless, some morphospecies of several groups of algae do have a worldwide distribution.
Others have restricted distributions and may be regarded as endemic to a region. However there is always the possibility that
they will be discovered in far away places. Australia has a rather large element of endemicity in its algal flora. From the
early days of Australian phycology many new genera and species of freshwater algae have been described. Some are of such distinctive
appearance or novelty as to be regarded as ‘flagship’ taxa. There is little doubt about their endemicity and their existence
increases the probability of less-distinguished species also being endemic. The degree of endemicity is probably masked by
the ‘force-fitting’ of European names to Australian species.
Some Australian endemics are robust and are widely distributed in a variety of types of water body. Others, the frail endemics,
the ones of greatest novelty and phylogenetic significance, have a very restricted range with their strongholds in dystrophic
coastal lagoons where tracts or remnant patches of native vegetation survive. Their survival and the conservation of their
biodiversity depends on recognition of the significance of coastal lagoons and swamps. |
| |
Keywords: | endemics Australia flagship taxa conservation |
本文献已被 SpringerLink 等数据库收录! |
|