DD1 - Refugia is the plural of refugium (noun). These are common biological or ecological terms and terms used in the medical and legal professions. They can have several generalized meanings depending on the use of the word. the terms can be used in a larger ecological sense that encompasses a large geographical area or a small area such as in a pond or even tiny micro-habitats where bacteria find refuge. In the application that I used refugia above, it meant areas where special environmental circumstances (dense cover or structure) have enabled a species or a community of species (small fish) to survive after extinction in surrounding areas (open water areas).
Dinosaurs apparently were not able to find refuge to survive their eventual extinction, although some 'ancient' animals managed to survive.
Webster's proper use of refuge and refugium
http://hegel.lewiscenter.org/users/mhuff...ugerefugium.phpBroad globial use of the term:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/refugiumAcademic discussion and broad use of the term refugia
http://www.americanscientist.org/bookshelf/pub/setting-the-record-straight-on-the-refugia-hypothesis
