Biodiversity and biogeography of Southern Ocean pycnogonids

A distinct and isolated Antarctic pycnogonid shelf fauna, differing from deep-sea, Sub-Antarctic, South American, and New Zealand regions, was identified through analysis of 332 species from 1837 sample locations. The South Shetland Islands emerged as a probable center of radiation for these marine arachnids, with no observed latitudinal gradients in species richness. Multivariate analyses revealed unique biogeographic trends, though the study acknowledges potential shifts with future molecular insights. This research challenges long-standing biogeographic assumptions and underscores the need to integrate classical taxonomy with emerging genetic techniques.

Griffiths, H. J., Arango, C. P., Munilla, T., & McInnes, S. J. (2011). Biodiversity and biogeography of Southern Ocean pycnogonids. Ecography, 34(4), 616–627. Portico. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0587.2010.06612.x