Southern Ocean areas of endemism: a reanalysis using benthic hydroids (Cnidaria, Hydrozoa)

Abstract

The biogeographic history of the Southern Ocean (SO) fauna is complex and poorly studied, especially the areas of endemism. We reanalyzed the data of Marques & Peña Cantero (2010), along with other geographical records of endemic benthic hydroids below 45ºS. A Parsimony Analysis of Endemicity (PAE) based on 5º latitude by 5º longitude matrix with 61 species resulted in eight areas of endemism. We discuss these results in the context of different hypotheses of the evolution of the SO fauna and previously proposed biogeography patterns.