The Marine Vegetation of the Kerguelen Islands: History of Scientific Campaigns, Inventory of the Flora and First Analysis of Its Biogeographical Affinities

Conceived as a baseline for the management and conservation of marine protected area French Southern Territories (réserve naturelle nationale des Terres australes françaises), checklist macroalgae Kerguelen Islands was updated based on an extensive review literature scientific databases, from first report Ross expedition, in 1840, to most recent works. This work also conceived starting point forthcoming investigations using molecular systematics tools monitoring effects global change sub-Antarctic ecosystems. After brief history campaigns, list 166 species established (103 Rhodophyta, 35 Chlorophyta 28 Ochrophyta [Phaeophyceae]). Molecular studiess have shown existence recurrent discrepancies between established, morphology-based taxonomy delimitation, calling revision systematics. Nevertheless, analysis biogeographical affinities flora is carried out preliminary results are partially congruent with main regions currently recognized Ocean suggesting importance long-distance dispersal explain observed distribution patterns.