Aim We assess biogeographical patterns, population structure and the range of species in the pulmonate genus Siphonaria across the sub‐Antarctic. We hypothesized that locally endemic cryptic species will be found across the distribution of these direct‐developing limpets in the sub‐Antarctic. Location The sub‐Antarctic coasts of the Southern Ocean including South America, the Falkland/Malvinas, South Georgia, Kerguelen and Macquarie Islands. Methods Multi‐locus phylogenetic reconstructions, mtDNA time‐calibrated divergence time estimations and population‐based analyses of Siphonaria populations were used at the scale of the Southern Ocean. Results We resolve two widely distributed lineages of Siphonaria (S. lateralis and S. fuegiensis) across the sub‐Antarctic. MtDNA divergence time estimates suggest that they were separated around 4.0 Ma (3.0 to 8.0 Ma). Subsequently both species followed different evolutionary pathways across their distributions. Low levels of genetic diversity characterize the populations of both species, reflecting the role of Quaternary glacial cycles during their respective demographic histories, suggesting high levels of dispersal among geographically distant localities. Main conclusions Siphonaria lateralis and S. fuegiensis constitute sister and broadly co‐distributed species across the sub‐Antarctic. Unexpected transoceanic similarities and low levels of genetic diversity in both these direct‐developing species imply recurrent recolonization processes through long‐distance dispersal to isolated sub‐Antarctic islands. For such groups of Southern Ocean invertebrates, rafting may be more effective for long‐distance dispersal than a free‐living planktotrophic larval stage. This biogeographical model may explain why many marine species lacking a dispersal phase exhibit broad distributions, low genetic diversity and low population structure over thousands of kilometres.

RESUMENA pesar del conocimiento existente sobre ecología del bentos marino en el estrecho de Magallanes, pocos estudios han sido enfocados a la malacofauna. Durante abril y junio de 2007 se realizaron campañas en una extensiva zona ubicada en la Isla Carlos III y áreas adyacentes, en el marco del proyecto "Diagnóstico del Macrobentos en el Área Marina Costera Protegida de Múltiples Usos Francisco Coloane". Mediante buceo autónomo se recolectaron muestras bentónicas sublitorales (5-20 m de profundidad) en 37 sitios, dentro de cuadrantes de 0,25 m 2 . La fauna obtenida fue tamizada, fijada y preservada en etanol. Los moluscos fueron separados, contabilizados e identificados a nivel de especie. A partir de matrices de datos se evaluó la riqueza, abundancia y diversidad, y se analizaron sus agrupamientos y ordenamientos en ensambles o grupos, estudiando sus especies más comunes y preferentes, y las que más contribuyeron a la similitud. A partir de los 4613 ejemplares estudiados, se identificaron 101 especies: 11 Polyplacophora, 59 Gastropoda y 31 Bivalvia. Las especies más abundantes fueron el gastrópodo Margarella violacea (560 individuos) y el bivalvo Neolepton yagan (389). Los valores más altos de riqueza y abundancia se registraron en la Península de Brunswick, mientras que los mayores valores de diversidad se presentaron en el Canal Jerónimo e Islas Charles. El agrupamiento de estaciones demostró la presencia de cuatro ensambles significativos con un nivel de similitud superior al 20%, no determinándose un patrón geográfico de organización. El gastrópodo Xymenopsis muriciformis contribuyó notoriamente a la similitud de los ensambles, mientras que Trophon pallidus estuvo presente en todos éstos y el bivalvo Aulacomya atra fue la especie con mayor presencia (17 estaciones). La alta diversidad registrada y los agrupamientos

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Macroalgae stand out for their high content of dietary fiber (30–75%) that include soluble, sulfated (fucoidan, agaran, carrageenan, and ulvan) and non-sulfated (laminaran and alginate) polysaccharides. Many studies indicate that these compounds exert varied biological activities and health-promoting effects and for this reason, there is a growing interest for using them in food products. The aim of this review was to critically evaluate prebiotic properties of algal polysaccharides, i.e., their ability to exert biological activities by modulating the composition and/or diversity of gut microbiota (GM). Pre-clinical studies show that the non-sulfated alginate and laminaran are well-fermented by GM, promoting the formation of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs) including butyrate, and preventing that of harmful putrefactive compounds (NH 3 , phenol, p -cresol, indole and H 2 S). Alginate increases Bacteroides, Bifidobacterium , and Lactobacillus species while laminaran mostly stimulates Bacteroides sp. Results with sulfated polysaccharides are more questionable. Agarans are poorly fermentable but agarose-oligosaccharides exhibit an interesting prebiotic potential, increasing butyrate-producing bacteria and SCFAs. Though carrageenan-oligosaccharides are also fermented, their use is currently limited due to safety concerns. Regarding fucoidan, only one study reports SCFAs production, suggesting that it is poorly fermented. Its effect on GM does not indicate a clear pattern, making difficult to conclude whether it is beneficial or not. Notably, fucoidan impact on H 2 S production has not been evaluated, though some studies report it increases sulfate-reducing bacteria. Ulvan is badly fermented by GM and some studies show that part of its sulfate is dissimilated to H 2 S, which could affect colonic mitochondrial function. Accordingly, these results support the use of laminaran, alginate and agaro-oligosaccharides as prebiotics while more studies are necessary regarding that of fucoidan, carrageenan and ulvan. However, the realization of clinical trials is necessary to confirm such prebiotic properties in humans.

Abstract.-Chilean sub-Antarctic Channels region is one of the most diverse regions in molluscs species of the South Pacific Ocean in South America. This region exhibit intertidal zones with a high environmental heterogeneity at a local scale, including seasonal changes in photoperiod, rocky substrate diversity, salinity and temperature gradi ents. This study characterized molluscs assemblages in Róbalo bay 54°55'S (Beagle Channel), identifying spatial-temporal changes in assemblage composition, species richness, abundance, functional groups, and diversity of molluscs species. We registered 34 species comprising 4 functional groups, being mobile herbivores the most diverse group (21 species). The most abundant molluscs were Mytilus edulis platensis and Perumytilus purpuratus. Considering the mobile species only, the most abundant were Laevilitorina caliginosa and Siphonaria lessonii. In seasonal terms, species richness and abundance of mobile herbivores showed an increase during the austral summer. While the abundance of M. edulis platensis and mobile carnivores remained stable during the seasons. Regarding vertical zonation within the intertidal, we found that L. caliginosa is mainly associated with high intertidal, Pareuthria plumbea to the mid-zone, and N. deaurata to the low intertidal zone. Róbalo Bay high beta molluscs diversity was associated to the spatial variability of intertidal zones. These changes can be detected in between sites separated only by hundreds of meters, where local environmental heterogeneity likel y plays a role structuring ecological assemblages and communities Sub-Antarctic channels.Key words: Sub-Antarctic channels, seasonal changes, rocky intertidal, Naticidae, NacellaResumen.-Los canales subantárticos de Chile son una de las regiones con mayor diversidad de moluscos del océano Pacífico en el sur de Sudamérica. Esta región presenta extensas zonas intermareales sujetas a una marcada estacionalidad con cambios en el fotoperiodo y una alta heterogeneidad ambiental, que incluye diversidad de sustrat os, gradientes de salinidad y temperatura. El presente estudio caracterizó el ensamble de moluscos de bahía Róbalo 54°55'S (canal Beagle) y evaluó los cambios espacio-estacionales de la composición, riqueza y diversidad de moluscos. Se registraron 34 especies de moluscos, y se caracterizaron 4 grupos funcionales, siendo el más diverso los herbívoros móviles (21 especies). Los moluscos más abundantes fueron los filtradores sésiles, Mytilus edulis platensis y Perumytilus purpuratus. Las especies móviles más abundantes fueron Laevilitorina caliginosa y Siphonaria lessonii. En términos estacionales, la riqueza de especies y abundancia de los herbívoros móviles presentaron un aumento durante el verano austral. Mi entras que la abundancia de M. edulis platensis y los carnívoros móviles se mantuvieron estables durante las estaciones. Respecto a la zonificación vertical dentro del intermareal, se encontró que L. caliginosa está asociada principalmente al intermareal alto, Pareuthria plumbea a la zo...

The coastal areas of the Magellan ecoregion host considerable diversity of macroalgae and mollusks. Indigenous peoples, such as the Yaghan, have developed biocultural interactions with austral coastal ecosystems. This study is an interdisciplinary ecological, ethnoecological and philosophical analysis. It applies the conceptual framework of biocultural ethics to characterize the intertidal habitat within the biocultural context of the Yaghan people. This is done through the composition of inhabitants, such as macroalgae and mollusks, linked to seasonal habits of abundance. Based on this account, we suggest methods and activities of biocultural conservations. We applied the Field Environmental Philosophy approach, which was carried out in Róbalo bay, Navarino island (55°S). Ecological results showed that biomass and macroalgae diversity increased in summer and decreased over the winter. Mollusks Mytilus edulis chilensis and Perumytilus purpuratus showed no seasonal variability abundance. Ethnographic results based on the literature and observant participation showed that low seasonal variability in mollusk abundance has been crucial to the subsistence of the Yaghan people. From the perspective of contemporary environmental ethics, we identified several values in the Yaghan worldview. For example, there are instrumental values in mollusks: they have been a source of food, aesthetic decoration, development of tools and building huts. We found references to the intrinsic values in mollusks, particularly in narratives and other ethnographic sources. These Yaghan values are rooted in a profound sense of empathy for biodiversity. As a result of the combined ecological, ethnographic, and philosophical issues, we suggest communication through metaphor (the submerged forest of Cape Horn) and field activities (open your eyes, dive with an open mind) for biocultural conservation.

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endemic to South Georgia), M. steineni (South Georgia and Crozet Island) and the morphologically variable M. violacea (=M. expansa , M. porcellana and M. pruinosa) , with populations in southern South America , the Falkland/Malvinas , Crozet and Kerguelen Islands. Margarella violacea and M. achilles are sister species, closely related to M. steineni, with M. antarctica sister to all these. This taxonomy reflects contrasting biogeographic patterns on either side of the APF in the Southern Ocean. Pop-ulations of Margarella north of the APF (M. violacea) showed significant genetic variation but with many shared haplotypes between geographically distant populations. By contrast, populations south of the APF (M. antarctica, M. steineni and M. achilles) exhibited fewer haplotypes and comprised three distinct species, each occurring across a separate geographical range. We hypothesize that the biogeographical differences may be the consequence of the presence north of the APF of buoyant kelpspotential longdistance dispersal vectors for these vetigastro-pods with benthic-protected developmentand their near-absence to the south. Finally, we suggest that the low levels of genetic diversity within higher-latitude Margarella reflect the impact of Quaternary glacial cycles that exterminated local populations during their maxima.