Biodiversity in extreme aquatic environments: lakes, ponds and streams of the Ross Sea sector, Antarctica

摘要: The Ross Sea Sector (RSS) of Antarcticallies between the lines longitude 150°E and 150°W contains diverse landscapes with a variety lakes, ponds streams. Neither insects nor crustacean species have been recorded in these ecosystems but most contain planktonic and/or benthic communities that are composed exclusively microscopic organisms. Microbial brodiversity is low small number (e.g. filamentous cyanobacteria family Oscillatoriaceae) occurring under broad range environmental conditions throughout region. There no evidence to date microbial endemism RSS; however, there need apply molecular cellular techniques compare biodiversity genetic characteristics assemblages elsewhere Antarctica comparable north polar zone. A series hypotheses advanced help guide further work. These derive from conclusion extremes plus biogeographical isolation control RSS communities, biological interactions (competition, grazing, predation, parasitism) weak play minor role by comparison temperate latitude ecosystems.