Faunal Diversity in Antarctica: Contributions of Zoological Survey of India

Abstract

Antarctica, the fifth largest continent of the planet covers an area of about 14 million square kilometres. Topographically it is divided into two geographic regions: West Antarctica and East Antarctica. It is also divided into three main ecological zones with distinctive climatic and biotic characteristics: the Continental, Maritime and Sub-Antarctic zone. Only about 2% of ice-free area; harsh climatic conditions; combinations of freezing temperatures, poor soil quality, lack of moisture and sunlight inhibit the faunal composition in the continent. Over 150 years of biological researches on Antarctic region
recorded more than 1500 species of invertebrates and about 200 species of vertebrates. The major common groups of invertebrates known to occur are Protozoa, Acarina, Nematoda, Collembola, Rotifera and Tardigrada. Vertebrate fauna includes different species of fishes, birds, mammals etc. Though Indian Scientific Expedition to Antarctica started in 1981, Zoological Survey of India joined the mission of Antarctic Expedition in 1989. Since then, thirteen scientists successfully participated in thirteen different expeditions. Their sincere endeavour and zeal to work in the extreme inhospitable climatic conditions of the continent resulted in the description of 5 new species, first records of 5 families, 25 genera and 92 species of different invertebrate and vertebrate groups. Though some works have been done on taxonomic and ecological studies on different invertebrate groups by ZSI scientists, yet more studies are needed to explore the terrestrial and moss inhabiting invertebrate fauna from the continent.