Diversity gradients of rotifer species richness in Antarctica

Abstract

We gathered taxonomic information regarding the occurrence of rotifers in Antarctica and Subantarctica, producing a database of more than 1100 records from all 93 papers published on the region since the start of research expeditions in the far South. From this literature review, we outline a history of rotifer research in Antarctica. Then, using the database, we address specific questions on biogeographic patterns in species richness in rotifers in Antarctica and Subantarctica. We highlight a complex scenario of differences between areas and latitudinal gradients, differentially affected by problems in sampling bias. The number of species of monogonont rotifers seems to decrease with increasing absolute latitudes, whereas the number of species of bdelloid rotifers generally increases with increasing absolute latitudes.