On the Biodiversity Hotspot of Large Branchiopods (Crustacea, Branchiopoda) in the Central Paroo in Semi-Arid Australia
Abstract
Biodiversity is central to the structure and functioning of communities including those of temporary water bodies. Worldwide the large branchiopod component commonly consists of up to six species instantaneously co-occurring per site and twice that number across the surrounding district. Where these figures reach eight to ten species per site and about tiwce that number per district, the term diversity hotspot is sometimes used. In eastern Australia, biographical factors have facilitated a rich large branchiopod fauna ca 80 species. Locally within 500 km2 of the central Paroo in north eastern New South Wales, a rare diverse and abuindant array of habitats supports at least 38 species, though the maximum per site syntopocally is still near ten species. We suggest this situation be termed a super hotspot.
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