Biogeographical regionalisation of the world: a reappraisal

Abstract

Some phytogeographical, zoogeographical and biogeographical regionalisations of the world are reviewed qualitatively. A biogeographical regionalisation attempting some consensus is proposed, recognising the following three kingdoms and nine regions: Holarctic kingdom (Nearctic and Palearctic regions), Holotropical kingdom (Neotropical, Ethiopian and Oriental regions) and Austral kingdom (Cape, Andean, Australian and Antarctic regions). Additionally, the following five transition zones are recognised: Mexican (Nearctic–Neotropical transition), Saharo-Arabian (Palearctic–Ethiopian transition), Chinese (Palearctic–Oriental transition), Indo-Malayan (Oriental–Australian transition) and South American (Neotropical–Andean transition).