Australian Biological Resources Study
A.D.Chapman
Australian Biodiversity Information Services, Toowoomba, Australia
A Report for the Department of the Environment and Heritage, September 2005
ISBN (printed) 978 0 642 56849 6
ISBN (online) 978 0 642 56850 2
Online html version with updates (April 2007)
The other groups are difficult to determine and characterise. Many are generally included among the Protists—a loose assemblage of primary single-celled, heterotrophic, eukaryotic organisms many of which were previously called Protozoa (Brusca and Brusca 2003). It is often difficult to know what constitutes a species in many groups, and to determine in what Kingdom the various Phyla should be placed. Molecular phylogenetic and cladistic studies have resulted in major reorganisations of eukaryotic groups of organisms (see Meeûs and Renaud 2002). I have included the algae in this group rather than in the Plantae, although in reality, they should be split between the Plantae and this group.
Estimates for the number of lichens vary from about 10 000 (IUCN 2004), 13 500 to 17 000 (Deacon n.dat.122) to over 20 000123. Many on-line (mainly University) sites cite numbers around the 17 000124 mark, and I have accepted that figure here. It is also the figure given in the Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan (Anon. 1994). Estimates for total species vary from about 20 000 to 25 000.
Estimates for the number of described species in Australia are around 3 227 (ABRS 2005c) out of a total lichen flora of about 5 000 species (DEH in prep.) of which 1 102 (34%) are thought to be endemic (ABRS 2005c).
| World Described minimum | World Described maximum | World Accepted | World Estimate | Australia Described | Australia Described % of World Described | Australia Estimate | Australia Endemic | World Threatened125 | Australia Threatened | Australia Threatened % of World Threatened |
| 10 000 | 20 000 | 17 000 | ~25 000 | 3 227 | 19.0% | ~5 000 | 34% | 2 (0.01%) | 0 | 0 |
Estimates for the number of world fungi vary due to lack of knowledge, their occurrence in virtually every habitat, and uncertainty as to what should be included in the group. In reality some of the microfungi should probably be separated out and split between the Protoctista and Chromista (Corlis 2000).
Estimates of 45 173 (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002), 46 983 (McNeely et al. 1990), 69 000 (Tangley 1997), 72 000 (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995, Brusca and Brusca 2003) and over 300 000 (Rossman 2003) have been found. P.M.Kirk (pers. comm.126) quotes Ainsworth and Bisby's Dictionary of the Fungi (9th edition, 2001) as estimating 80 000 true fungi, c. 960 Protozoan fungi and c. 900 Chromistan fungi. Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) give figures of c. 30 000 Ascomycota, 22 250 Basidiomycota and c. 1 100 Zygomycota. In addition, under the Protoctista, they include c. 1 000 Chytridiomycota, 23 Hyphochytriomycota and c. 800 Microspora that Corliss (2000) places in the fungi. There may be other taxa (such as the Pseudofungi, Oomycota and Labyrnthulata which Corliss places in his Chromista) that haven’t been included in the figures supplied by Groombridge and Jenkins (loc. cit.). These could add another 1 200–1 300 species. The figure of 300 000 by Rossman (2003) although very high appears to have been based on some thorough searching of names in the literature and accords with a figure of 120 000 described species by 1931 as identified by Reed and Farr (1993). Settling on a number, even of described species, is very difficult when one sees the vast variation in estimates. I have accepted the figure of 72 000 as reported in Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo (1995) and Brusca and Brusca (2003). About 500 of these species are marine, and many more are likely to be found in that environment.
Brusca and Brusca (2003) suggest that their figure of 72 000 is only about 5–10% of the total number of species, while Hawksworth (1991), Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo (1995) and Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) estimated that there may be as many as 1.5 million species. Rossman (2003) provides further strong supporting evidence for a figure of around 1.5 million. Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo (1995) reported estimates varying between 200 000 and 2.7 million.
There are 3 072 described Basidiomycetes (May 2003, May pers. comm.127), c. 300 Ascomycetes in Australia (Lepp 2003) and estimates of 2 300+ microfungi.
The total number of known Australian fungi has been estimated as c. 12 500 species128 (Pascoe 1990, DEH in prep.).
Estimates for the total number of fungal species in Australia vary from around 50 000 (DEH in prep.) to about 250 000 (Pascoe 1990, May and Grgurinovic 1995, Williams 2001, Ramsey 2005) with about 90% thought to be endemic (Williams 2001). May (pers. comm. 2005) suggests that there are about 10 000 species of basidiomycete macrofungi in Australia in total, and about 1 200–2 400 ascomycete macrofungi, while ACIL Consulting (2002) suggested a total for the microfungi of between 150 000 and 240 000. This would put the total for all Australian fungi at between 160 000 and 250 000.
| World Described minimum | World Described maximum | World Accepted | World Estimate | Australia Described | Australia Described % of World Described | Australia Estimate | Australia Percentage Endemic | |
| Microfungi | ~20 000 | 2 300+ | 11.5% | 150 000–240 000 | ||||
| Macrofungi (Basidiomycetes) | ~22 250 | 3 072 | 5.8% | 10 000 | ||||
| Macrofungi (Ascomycetes) | ~30 000 | 300 | 1.0% | 1 200–2 400 | ||||
| TOTAL | 45 173 | 300 000 | ~72 000 | 1 500 000 | 5 672+ | 7.8% | 160 000–250 000 | 90% |
The estimates of numbers of bacteria in the world (and in Australia) are complicated by many factors. It is generally believed that many species cannot be cultivated or identified, using existing techniques. The Cyanophyta (Cyanobacteria) have been separated out into a different section in this report.
The estimated number of described bacteria species in the world varies from 3 000–4 000 (Hawksworth and Colwell 1992), 4 000 (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995), 4 760 (McNeely et al. 1990), 5 432 (Euzeby 2004) to 10 000 (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002). I have accepted the figures of Euzeby (2004). Shimura (2004) provided a figure of 8 500 species, but from Euzeby (2004) it is obvious that these are names, and as stated by Euzeby (loc. cit.) of the 6 832 currently validly published species names, these apply to just 5 432 currently accepted species names. Euzeby's figures include the Archaea.
Estimates of the total number of species (described and undescribed) vary from 50 000 to 3 million (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995) with generally accepted figures varying from 400 000 (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002) to 1 million (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995).
Figures for Australia are virtually non-existent other than an estimate of 40 000 for the total number of species in Australia by Saunders et al. (1996). These authors also gave a figure of 0.1% described which would indicate a figure of about 40 species. This appears to be a gross under-estimation for the number of described species.
| World Described minimum | World Described maximum | World Accepted | World Estimate | Australia Described | Australia Described % of World Described | Australia Estimate | Australia Endemic | World Threatened129 | Australia Threatened | Australia Threatened % of World Threatened |
| 4 000 | 10 000 | ~5 422 | 400 000–1 000 000 | ~40 | 0.7% | 40 000 | unknown | 0 | 0 | — |
The Cyanobacteria are an important group in Australia, although very little is known of them. Species concepts in the group are difficult (without sexual reproduction) so many of the numbers cited vary widely. The Cyanobacteria form about 4% of the total number of bacteria in Australia according to ACIL Consulting (2002). Figures supplied here appear to be guesstimates only and could be out by factors of hundreds, if not thousands.
The number of described species in the world is about 3 234 (Watanabe et al. 2004). Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) report that there are about 1 000 genera.
ACIL Consulting (2002) state that ‘An estimate made during consultations suggests that the total number of species could be between 12 000 and 40 000. – based on cyanobacteria being around 4% of total number of bacteria species potentially to be found in Australia. It is concluded that the majority of the species are yet to be described.’ This would make the total number of bacteria in Australia between 400 000 and 1 million. ACIL Consulting (2002) suggest that the number of identified species in Australia (not necessarily described) is between 200 and 2 000. Given that the estimate of the total described species for the world is 3 234, it would appear that a number in the thousands for described species in Australia is unlikely.
Entwisle & Huisman (1998) estimated a figure of 270 species in Australia, although lower than many other estimates it would appear to be a more realistic figure. Entwisle (pers. comm.)130 suggests c. 50 species as described for Australia.
| World Described minimum | World Described maximum | World Accepted | World Estimate | Australia Described | Australia Described % of World Described | Australia Estimate | Australia Endemic | World Threatened131 | Australia Threatened132 | Australia Threatened % of World Threatened |
| 3 234 | 3 234 | 3 234 | unknown | ~50 | unknown | 270 | unknown | 0 | 0 | — |
Again, it is difficult to estimate the number of species of algae, partly due to varying circumscriptions. Some estimates for the number of species worldwide, along with the different circumscriptions, are given in the following table. From that table it can be seen that Corliss (2000) separates algae into both Plantae and Chromista.
Estimates for the number of described species of algae include 26 900 (Tangley 1997), 27 000 (Entwisle 1997), 34 500 (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002), 33 000–44 000 (Corliss 2000), about 35 000 (AlgaeBase —Michael Guiry, pers. comm.133) and 40 000 (possibly including Cyanophyta) (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995). The AlgaeBase database (Guiry et al. 2005) has only completed about 70% of taxa to date (Rhodophyta and Phaeophyta 95% complete; Chlorophyta with 95% marine and 50% freshwater complete ‘being deficient in the area of small freshwater greens, including the desmids. For the Haptophyta, Euglenophyta, Chrysophyta, Prasinophyta and Cryptophyta and other small phyla/classes we reckon about 80%’ complete. The biggest deficiency is in the Bacillariophyta (diatoms) where 8 500 names are recorded ‘but no clarity on what is what’ (Guiry, pers. comm.133). For this reason, I have accepted a figure of c. 35 000 based largely on the figures supplied by Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) and Corliss (2000) (see table below), and by extrapolation of the figures from AlgaeBase.
Few estimates of the total number of algae have been found, however Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo (1995) gave a figure of 400 000 with cited estimates ranging from 150 000 to 1 million, while the Biodiversity: the UK Action Plan (Anon. 1994) suggested that there could be up to 10 million species of diatoms. Michael Guiry (pers. comm.133), the manager of AlgaeBase (http://www.algaebase.org), reports that there are about 20 000 described species of diatoms with about another 80 000 undescribed species. The data from AlgaeBase indicate that a figure of 400 000 is too high, and I have settled on a figure of about 200 000 (assuming 100 000 species of diatom) which is at the lower end of the range reported by Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo (1995).
Estimates for the number of described species in Australia include 5 000 (Williams 2001) and 10 000 (DEH in prep.). Entwisle & Huisman (1998) provide estimates of from 5 714–17 937 with the large variation due mainly to estimates for diatom of from 1 300–13 000. ACIL Consulting (2002) suggested a figure of 3 000 for freshwater algae, but don’t go further. Guiry et al. (2005) list 7 167 species and infraspecies for Australia in AlgaeBase, but to date they have only covered about 70% of the algae taxa (Guiry pers. comm.133). Extrapolation from the AlgaeBase figures suggests that there are about 10 000 described Australian taxa (species and infraspecies).
DEH (in prep.) provide an estimate of 11 000 to 12 000 for the total number of algae species, ABRS (2004) report that there are 10 000–12 000 species known for Australia, but that ‘this is certainly an underestimate’, while ACIL Consulting (2002) provide a figure of 10 000 to 100 000 based on a figure of 1/10 of the total world species. Using my figure of 200 000 total for the world, this provides a figure of about 20 000 for Australia.
| World Described minimum | World Described maximum | World Accepted | World Estimate | Australia Described | Australia Described % of World Described | Australia Estimate | Australia Endemic | World Threatened134 | Australia Threatened135 | Australia Threatened % of World Threatened |
| 26 900 | 44 000 | ~35 000 | 200 000 | ~10 000 | 20.4% | 12 000+ | unknown | 0 | 1 | — |
| Name as used by Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) | Name as used by Corliss (2000) | Kingdom of Corliss (2000) | Numbers (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002) | Numbers (Corliss 2000) | AlgaeBase (per Michael Guiry pers. comm.) |
| Charophyta (Conjugatophyceae, Gamophyceae, Zygonematophyceae + others) |
Plantae | ~11 700 | |||
| Gamophyta (conjugating green algae) |
Several thousand | ||||
| Chlorophyta (green algae) |
Chlorophyta | Plantae | ~16 000 | ~3 500 | |
| Eustigmatophyta (green eyespot algae) |
accepted? | ||||
| Glaucophyta | Plantae | 15 | |||
| Prasinophyta | Plantae | ~300 | |||
| Rhodophyta (red algae) |
Rhodophyta | Plantae | ~4 000 | 4 250 | |
| Ulvophyta | Plantae | >300 | |||
| Xanthophyta (yellow-green algae) |
~600 | ||||
| Chrysomonoda (Chrysophyta) |
Bicosoecae (previously in Chrysophyta) |
Chromista | accepted? | ~40 | |
| Cryptomonada (Cryptophyta) |
Cryptomonada (Cryptophyta) |
Chromista | accepted? | ~200 | |
| Diatoms | Diatomae (Bacillariophyta, Diotomea, Diatomophyceae) |
Chromista | ~10 000 | 10–20 000 | 20 000 described plus 80 000 undescribed |
| Dictyochae (Dictyochophyceae) (formerly in Chrysophyta) |
Chromista | ~200 | |||
| Bicosoecae (previously in Chrysophyta) |
Chromista | ~40 | |||
| Chrysophyta (golden-brown algae) |
Chromista | ~1 250 | |||
| Haptomonada (Pymnesiophytes) (yellow brown algae) |
Haptomonada (Coccolithophora, Haptophyta, Prymnnesiophyta) |
Chromista | accepted? | 500 | |
| Phaeophyta (brown algae) |
Phaeophyta (Fucophyceae, Melanophyceae) |
Chromista | ~900 | >1 600 | |
| Rhaphidophyta (Chloromonadophyceae) |
Chromista | <36 |
The main problem in estimating the number of species of viruses is knowing just what constitutes a species in the group. In general, virus species are taken as being a collection of isolates with similar characteristics (ICTV 2002). In a recent report from the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses, Mayo et al. (2005) reported on 5 450 viruses belonging to 2 000 species, 287 genera, 73 families and three orders. The International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses currently recognises about 900 species of plant viruses (Melcher 2005). A full list of virus species can be found at http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ICTVdb/index.htm.
Estimates for the number of described species of viruses range from about 2 000 (Mayo et al. 2005), 4 000 (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995) to 5 000 (Anon. 1994), with estimates of the total number at about 400 000 (varying from 50 000 to 1 million) (Hawksworth and Kalin-Arroyo 1995). I have accepted the official numbers from the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (Mayo et al. 2005).
The only figures I have been able to find for Australia are a list of 178 plant viruses (Büchen-Osmond 1988). I have not come across a similar list for animal viruses so, extrapolating, one obtains a figure of about 400 species in total.
| World Described minimum | World Described maximum | World Accepted | World Estimate | Australia Described | Australia Described % of World Described | Australia Estimate | Australia Endemic | World Threatened136 |
| 2 000 | 5 000 | ~2 000 | 400 000 | ~400 | 20% | unknown | unknown | — |
The main problem in estimating numbers of Protoctista is identifying the inter-relationship between different treatments—see table below.
Estimates for the number of Protozoa range from >20 000 (Anon. 1994) to 30 800 (Tangley 1997).
The following table has been created from information in Corliss (2000), Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) and Brusca and Brusca (2003). Groombridge and Jenkins (loc. cit.) estimate that there are 80 000 described Protoctista with an estimated total of 600 000 species, however these figures include non-protozoan taxa such as the diatoms, Chlorophyta, and some fungal groups.
Figures for the number of Australian species have been hard to find, however there are estimates for the total number of species in Australia of 65 000 (Saunders et al. 1996) and 80 000 (ACIL Consulting 2002). See Scott and Marchant (2005) (non vidi) for information on Antarctic Marine Protists.
| Name as used by Groombridge and Jenkins (2002) | Name as used by Corliss (2000) (except for species included under Fungi and Algae) | Name as used by Brusca and Brusca (2003) | Kingdom of Corliss (2000) | Numbers (Groombridge and Jenkins 2002) | Numbers (Corliss 2000) | Brusca and Brusca 2003 |
| Archaeoprotista (Amitochondriates) |
Archamoebae (Karyoblastea) |
Diplomonadida | Protozoa | accepted? | 10 | ~100 |
| Discomitochondria (Flagellates, zoomastigates) |
Neomonada | (Included in Diplomonadida) | Protozoa | accepted? | 30 | — |
| Rhizopoda (amastigote amoebas and cellular slime moulds) |
Rhizopoda (Amaeobozoa) |
Rhizopoda (amoebas) | Protozoa | ~200 | 5 000 | ~200 |
| Myxomycota (Plasmodial slime moulds) |
Mycetozoa | Excluded (fungi?) | Protozoa | ~500 | 900 | |
| Granuloreticulosa (Foraminifera and reticulomyxids) |
Foraminifera (Granuloreticulosa) |
Granuloreticulosa | Protozoa | ~4 000 | ~5 000 | ~40 000 (including many fossils) |
| Xenophyophora (Xenophyophores) |
(under Foraminifera) | (under Granuloreticulosa) | — | 42 | — | — |
| (under Actinopoda) | Heliozoa | (under Actinopoda) | Protozoa | — | ~4 000 | — |
| Actinopoda (Radiolarians) |
Radiozoa (Radiolaria) |
Actinopoda (incl. Polycistina = Radiolaria, Phaeodaria, Heliozoa, Acantharia) | Protozoa | ~4 000 | 1 700–4 000 | ~4 240 |
| Percolozoa | Excluded (fungi?) | Protozoa | — | 100 | — | |
| Euglenozoa | Euglenida | Protozoa | 1 600 | 1 600 | ||
| (under Euglenozoa) | Kinetoplastida (trypanosomes) |
600 | ||||
| Dinomastigota (Dinoflagellates) |
Dinozoa | Dinoflagellata | Protozoa | ~4 000 | ~2 000 | 4 000 |
| Metamonada | (under Dinoflagellata) | Protozoa | 300 | |||
| Parabasala | Parabasilida (Trihomonads and Hypermastigotes) |
Protozoa | 400 | ~300 | ||
| Apicomplexa (Sporozoa) |
Apicomplexa | Apicomplexa | Protozoa | ~5 000 | ~5 000 | ~5 000 |
| Haplospora | (under Apicomplexa) | Protozoa | 33 | |||
| Plasmodiophora | (under Apicomplexa) | Protozoa | 29 | |||
| Paramyxa | (under Apicomplexa) | Protozoa | 6 | |||
| Ciliophora (Ciliates) | Ciliophora | Protozoa | ~10 000 | 7 800 | 12 000 | |
| Opalinata (Protociliata, Paraflagellata) |
Opalinida | Chromista | 200 | 150 | ||
| Myxospora (Myxosporidians)137 |
Myxozoa (Myxosporidia, Myxospora) |
Microspora | Animalia | ~1 100 | >1 200 | 800 |