The host response to 3 different larval digeneans affecting Southwestern Atlantic and Magellanic populations of the bivalve Gaimardia trapesina (Lamarck, 1819) (Gaimardiidae) is described. Unencysted metacercariae of 2 species of Gymnophallidae and 1 species of Lepocreadiidae co-exist in the peripheral and general extrapallial spaces. Differences in host responses to stimuli generated by each parasite are described. Infections by Gymnophallidae gen. sp. 1 metacercariae elicit a mantle-shell complex reaction involving both alteration of the mantle epithelium (hyperplasia and metaplasia) and calcium carbonate deposition to form an incomplete calcareous covering of single larvae, comprising individual crystallites in an organic matrix. The calcareous covering covers only the posterior two-thirds of the larval body, having its anterior end free in the extrapallial space, which ensures survival of the larvae. The peculiar features of the host response result from a successful process of adjustment to the parasite's life cycle. Metacercariae of Gymnophallidae gen. sp. 2 occur in one or more small groups of up to 30 individuals, either in the general or in the peripheral extrapallial spaces. The outer mantle reaction includes hyperplasia and metaplasia of the epithelium adjacent to the larvae. Deposition of calcium carbonate did not occur. Lepocreadiidae gen. sp. metacercariae were observed exclusively in the general extrapallial space lodged in single shallow pits whose shape fit the parasite's body shape and size. In simultaneous infections, metacercariae of Gymnophallidae and Lepocreadiidae elicited different responses in an individual, which suggests that each parasitic entity involves a different stimulus to the host.

Based on literature review and malacological collections, 168 native freshwater bivalve and five invasive species have been recorded for 52 hydrographic regions in South America. The higher species richness has been detected in the South Atlantic, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Amazon Brazilian hydrographic regions. Presence or absence data were analysed by Principal Coordinate for Phylogeny-Weighted. The lineage Veneroida was more representative in hydrographic regions that are poorer in species and located West of South America. The Mycetopodidae and Hyriidae lineages were predominant in regions that are richest in species toward the East of the continent. The distribution of invasive species Limnoperna fortunei is not related to species richness in different hydrographic regions there. The species richness and its distribution patterns are closely associated with the geological history of the continent. The hydrographic regions present distinct phylogenetic and species composition regardless of the level of richness. Therefore, not only should the richness be considered to be a criterion for prioritizing areas for conservation, but also the phylogenetic diversity of communities engaged in services and functional aspects relevant to ecosystem maintenance.

Over a two-years period, a survey was carried out in order to increase the knowledge of digeneans parasitising the commonest intertidal gastropods on the Patagonian coast, Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. A total of 4,725 gastropods were examined. Six species of digenean parasitising four snail species were found; four of them were registered for first time: Maritrema sp. 1 (Microphallidae) in Crepidula dilatata (Calyptraeidae), Parorchis sp. (Philophtalmidae) and sporocyst of Renicolidae in Trophon geversianus (Muricidae), and Diphterostomum sp. (Zoogonidae) in Buccinanops globulosus (Nassariidae). Two other species were found in Siphonaria lessoni (Siphonariidae): Maritrema sp. 2 and Hemiuridae. One snail species, Tegula patagonica (Trochidae) was not parasitised. These gastropods act as first intermediate host, and C. dilatata, S. lessoni and B. globulosus also frequently host metacercariae within the sporocyst. Overall prevalences varied from 0.16% of Diphterostomum in the intertidal population of B. globulosus to 33.45% of Maritrema sp. 1 in C. dilatata.

Abstract. New data on shell reactions elicited by larval digeneans in bivalves from Recent sub‐Antarctic populations and late Holocene Patagonian deposits are reported. Shell alterations, which are traces of digenean trematode infections, were found affecting intertidal bivalve populations from Malvinas (Falkland) Islands, Burdwood Bank, Beagle Channel, and from Holocene deposits at Tierra del Fuego (Argentina). The bivalve species involved belonged to the families Nuculanidae, Cyamiidae, and Neoleptonidae. Such reactions consisted of quite unusual dome or igloo‐shaped calcifications on the inner shell surface; the similarities and uniqueness of this reaction in different bivalve species reported here suggest that the invasive agent is the same. Based on previous findings of morphologically identical shell alterations in Gaimardia trapesina (Bivalvia, Gaimardiidae) from Magellanic and sub‐Antarctic waters, it is suggested that the parasites responsible for the traces reported here belong to a digenean platyhelminth species of the Gymnophallidae genus Bartolius. The host bivalves reported here belong to three different superfamilies, and share a similar crystalline shell microstructure: aragonite with homogeneous structure. After a review of the available information dealing with bivalve shell‐mantle reactions against digeneans, it is hypothesized that parasites are responsible for the modeling of the host response they elicit. However, although the specific characteristics of the reaction depend on the parasite, they would probably be constrained by some characteristics of the host shell structure.