Biogeography of the Jaera albifrons superspecies (Isopoda, Asellota) on the Atlantic coast of Canada

• Published in: Canadian Journal of Zoology
• Main Author: Veuille, Michel
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Canadian Science Publishing 1976
• Subjects: Animal Science and Zoology; Ecology, Evolution, Behavior and Systematics; Arctic; Canada
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1139/z76-141; http://www.nrcresearchpress.com/doi/pdf/10.1139/z76-141

The biogeographical study of the four Canadian forms of the Jaera albifrons superspecies leads to a division into two groups. J. (a.) albifrons, J. (a.) ischiosetosa, and J. (a.) praehirsuta are spread along the whole Atlantic coast, from cold to temperate shores but, as in Europe, salinity and exposure affect their relative abundance. J. (a.) posthirsuta occurs only in the warm shallow waters protected from arctic currents. The presumably postglacial origin of its disjunct distribution is discussed.