cosmopolitan distribution (pandemic distribution) Distribution of an organism that is world-wide or ‘panendemic’. Apart from weeds, commensal animals, and some of the lower groups of cryptogams (plants reproducing by spores or gametes, rather than seeds), there are relatively few organisms that occur on all six of the widely inhabited continents. See also FAUNAL REALM.

cosmopolitan distribution The occurrence of an organism throughout the world or in many, widely separated places. Apart from opportunist plants (weeds), commensal animals (see COMMENSALISM), and some non-vascular plants (such as algae, mosses, and liverworts), there are relatively few organisms that occur on all six continents.

cosmopolitan distribution A distribution of an organism that is worldwide or panendemic. Apart from weeds, commensal animals, and some of the lower groups of cryptogams, there are relatively few organisms that occur on all 6 of the widely inhabited continents.

cosmopolitan distribution A distribution of an organism that is worldwide. Apart from weeds, commensal animals, and some of the lower groups of cryptogams, there are relatively few organisms that occur on all six of the widely inhabited continents.