5. Biogeography of desmids |
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Authors: | Peter F M Coesel |
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Institution: | (1) Department of Aquatic Ecology, University of Amsterdam, Kruislaan 320, NL-1098 SM Amsterdam, The Netherlands |
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Abstract: | Compared with other groups of unicellular freshwater algae, desmids lend themselves well to biogeographical studies since,
at species level, identification is often relatively easy, whereas high ecological demands use to curtain their geographical
distribution. Considering some ten desmid floral regions as distinguished in the beginning of this century, Indo-Malaysia/Northern
Australia, tropical America, and equatorial Africa come to the fore as most pronounced. Also well typified are Eastern Asia,
New Zealand/Southern Australia, and North America. Less endemic species are met with in Southern Africa and extratropical
South America, whereas temperate Eurasia, with respect to the other continents, is mainly negatively characterized. The so-called
arctic-alpine desmid flora may be encountered on all continents, provided that adequate minimum temperatures occur. Its distribution
seems to be determined microclimatologically rather than macroclimatologically. Arguments for a tropical origin of the desmids
as an algal group are adduced. |
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Keywords: | Green algae Desmidiaceae distribution biogeography |
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