The biology of the saline lakes of central and eastern inland of Australia: a review with special reference to their biogeographical affinities

Abstract

In 1984 when Bill Williams highlighted the regionalization of salt lakes in Australia, little was known about lakes in the remote inland. It was thought the invertebrate fauna of such lakes was depauperate due to their being poor evolutionary loci associated with extreme episodicity. However, work in the last two decades, has shown the fauna of many inland lakes is relatively rich. Part of the reason for restricted faunas in the larger lakes is habitat homeogeneity. Nevertheless there is little diversification at the species level, indicating restrictions on speciation. There are also limits on diversity imposed by the harsh environment, as indicated by the lack of forms unable to survive severe desiccation, e.g. higher crustaceans. Lakes in central and the eastern inland are dominated by characteristic lower crustaceans such as Parartemia minuta, Daphniopsis queenslandensis, Moina baylyi, Trigonocypris globulosa and a new mytilocyprid ostracod, as well as some forms widespread in Australia and in salt lakes on other continents. This invertebrate fauna is just as distinct as those of other salt lake districts in southern Australia, further reinforcing the concept of regionalization in Australia. The fish fauna of central and eastern salt lakes is also largely specific, but the waterbirds are not as they have responded to the episodicity by nomadism and habitat flexibility.