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Global diversity of Ascidiacea.
1Department of Biology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, United States of America. nshenkar@u.washington.edu
Plos One
|June 25, 2011
Summary
This review details global ascidian (sea squirt) biodiversity, identifying 2815 species and highlighting Aplousobranchia as the richest order. Tropical regions show highest species richness, with colonial ascidians dominating.
Area of Science:
- Marine Biology
- Biodiversity Science
- Evolutionary Biology
Background:
- Ascidiacea (sea squirts) are crucial for research in development, evolution, ecology, and natural products.
- Understanding global ascidian biodiversity is essential for ecological and evolutionary studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a comprehensive overview of the global biodiversity of the class Ascidiacea.
- To focus on ascidian taxonomy, main biodiversity regions, and distribution patterns.
Main Methods:
- Literature analysis and data from the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
- Compilation of a global species list for Ascidiacea.
Main Results:
- A total of 2815 described ascidian species were identified.
- The order Aplousobranchia exhibits the highest species and family diversity.
- Didemnidae and Styelidae families are the most species-rich, each exceeding 500 species.
- Sixty percent of described species are colonial, with richness concentrated in tropical regions.
- Species richness correlates strongly with sampling efforts, and invasive species pose a risk.
Conclusions:
- Ascidian biodiversity is unevenly distributed, with tropical regions being hotspots.
- Further exploration is needed as many regions remain poorly studied, with ongoing species discovery.
- Colonial ascidians dominate in tropics, while solitary forms increase in higher latitudes.
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