Global Diversity of Aloricate Oligotrichea (Protista, Ciliophora, Spirotricha) in Marine and Brackish Sea Water
2011

Global Diversity of Aloricate Oligotrichea in Marine and Brackish Waters

publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Sabine Agatha

Primary Institution: Department of Organismic Biology, University of Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria

Hypothesis

What is the global diversity and distribution of aloricate Oligotrichea in marine and brackish waters?

Conclusion

The study reveals that the majority of aloricate Oligotrichea species have a wide distribution, with some being endemic to specific regions.

Supporting Evidence

  • 94 morphospecies of aloricate Oligotrichea have a wide, occasionally cosmopolitan distribution.
  • 47 morphospecies are restricted to single geographic regions, including 12 endemic morphospecies.
  • The species richness is lower in the southern hemisphere than in the northern hemisphere.

Takeaway

This study looks at tiny organisms called aloricate Oligotrichea that live in the ocean and shows that many of them are found all over the world, while some are only found in certain places.

Methodology

The study analyzed geographic ranges of 141 accepted species and their synonyms using hundreds of taxonomical and ecological studies.

Potential Biases

Taxonomic mistakes and uncertainties may affect perceived diversity and geographic ranges.

Limitations

The data on biogeography and diversity are influenced by taxonomy and investigation methods, and human impact has disturbed natural patterns.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1371/journal.pone.0022466

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