Occurrences of aquatic invertebrates in the Antarctic and Subantarctic regions

Study Extent

1. (Metadata ID: marine-invertebrates I): New material was collected from southern South America in Navarino Island. New Antarctic material was collected from the South Shetland Islands, Doumer Island, Palmer Land, Avian Island and some localities in the Weddell Sector under the framework of Antarctic Scientific Expeditions (ECA) 58 and 59 of the Chilean Antarctic Institute (INACH). Samples from South Georgia were obtained during SAERI expedition in 2021 and Ponant expedition LEGCC120302023. 2. (Metada ID: marine-invertebrates II): Neobuccinum eatoni, Study area: Different provinces of the Antarctic Ocean such as the western sector of the Antarctic Peninsula and the subantarctic islands (Héard and the type locality, Swain's Bay on Kerguelen Island). Collected through autonomous diving. The specimens from the subantarctic islands were obtained within the framework of the PROTEKER project during the French Polar Institute Paul-Emile Victor (IPEV) expedition (2019-2020). Arbacia dufresnii, Study area: Different sectors of the Magellanic Province, Pacific and Atlantic sectors. Collected through autonomous diving. 3. (Metadata ID: Intertidal-quironomid-I-RBCH): Navarino Island is located south of Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel within the Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve. Sampling was carried out on the beaches and bays of the north coast of Navarino Island during the austral spring. 4. (Metadata ID: freshwater-invertebrates I): The study area includes different rivers and lagoons of the CHBR. The CHBR covers all the islands south of the Beagle Channel, as well as the Chilean portion of the island of Tierra del Fuego located south of the highest peaks of the Darwin Cordillera. The study sites are different rivers and lagoons of Navarino Island (Róbalo River, Ukika River, Bronces River, among others), of the Yendegaia National Park in Tierra del Fuego (2 de Mayo River, Caleta Contreras River, etc.) and water bodies of the National Park Cape Horn. 5. (Metadata ID: freshwater-invertebrates II): Navarino Island is located south of Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Channel within the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve. Sampling takes place in the Bronces, Róbalo, and Ukika river basins and occurs during the austral summer (January 2020 and 2021) to achieve the highest representativeness and number of adult stages. Specimens are collected from four predetermined elevations, approximately at 150, 260, 380, and 500 meters above sea level, in each river. 6. (Metadata ID: Branchinecta-gaini): In the sub-Antarctic ecoregion we sampled the Magellanic Region, including Brunswick Peninsula (Otway Sound) and Tierra del Fuego, and the sub-Antarctic island South Georgia. Within Antarctica, we sampled west and east coast of Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands, and South Orkney Islands.

Sampling

1. (Metadata ID: marine-invertebrates I): Samples were collected using two methods: a) manual collection in the intertidal zone, with mollusks being sampled individually, and b) SCUBA diving between 1 and 15 m depth, where substrates (e.g. sediments, macroalgae) were collected. Rock substrates were subsequently scraped to ensure that all species and specimens were collected. Each macroalga sample was placed in a plastic bag. After collection, specimens were kept alive and transported onboard or to the research station. Each sample was then gently agitated to detach the associated fauna. All samples were immediately preserved in ethanol (95%) to be transported to the laboratory. Geographic coordinates were recorded using GPS for each sample location. 2. (Metada ID: marine-invertebrates II): Autonomous diving. 3. (Metadata ID: Intertidal-quironomid-I-RBCH): Field work was carried out along the north coast of Navarino Island, RBCH. During low tide, different bays were visited and searched for T. magellanicus adults which could be easily observed running among the rocks and algae on the beach. When the species was found, the presence record was recorded with a GPS. 4. (Metadata ID: freshwater-invertebrates I): Habitat samples were taken at each site using a Surber net (0.09 m2) with a 243 μm mesh. Each sample was stored in 95% ethanol and transported to the laboratory for processing. A malaise trap was also placed at each site to obtain adult representatives of the organisms needed to help identify them to the lowest possible taxonomic level. Traps were placed in the late afternoon and left out overnight at each site and sampling period. 5. (Metadata ID: freshwater-invertebrates II): For each river and at each elevation, a Malaise trap was installed for 80-90 hours. The captured individuals were then transferred to containers containing 90% ethanol for transportation to the laboratory, where they were subsequently identified. 6. (Metadata ID: Branchinecta-gaini): Collections took place from the shoreline, scooping individuals from the water column of lakes, ponds and small pools using a zooplankton net at locations across sub-Antarctic islands (South Georgia), and maritime Antarctic (i.e. islands at the west side of Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands and Signy Island). Samples were immediately preserved in ethanol (99%). GPS positions were recorded for each sample location.

Quality Control

Records lacking precise geographic location (coordinates) were assigned georeferences by identification from the description (e.g. lakes names) of the reported collection locality included in the relevant metadata.

Method steps

1. The step-by-step methodology details of each project can be obtained from their respective researchers through the provided contact information (email).

This dataset comprises a total of 770 occurrences from the six identified research projects mentioned in the metadata description and in the "datasetID" column of the corresponding database. Out of the total, 387 occurrences correspond to marine invertebrates (subtidal and intertidal), while 383 pertain to freshwater species. The marine records encompass the classes Polyplacophora (40 records), Gastropoda (281 records), Bivalvia (36 records), Echinoidea (18 records), and Insecta (12 records). The freshwater records are distributed among seven classes: Insecta (304 records), Branchiopoda (38 records), Malacostrata (27 records), Maxillopoda (4 records), Clitellata (4 records), Gastropoda (3 records), and Bivalvia (2 records). The marine records include species and families from 20 orders, commonly known as Chitons, snails, clams, and sea urchins. The freshwater records encompass species and families from 15 orders, with some common names being flies, mayflies, stoneflies, and fairy shrimp. The orders for both groups are: Chitonida, Lepidopleurida, Lepetellida, Trochida, Littorinimorpha, Caenogastropoda, Neogastropoda, Nudibranchia, Cephalaspidea, Siphonariida, Systellommatophora, Arcida, Venerida, Limida, Nuculanida, Galeommatida, Adapedonta and Mytilida, Arbacioida, Diptera. The main genera are as follows:

1. Tonicina
   rank: genus
2. Leptochiton
   rank: genus
3. Callochiton
   rank: genus
4. Tonicia
   rank: genus
5. Chiton
   rank: genus
6. Plaxiphora
   rank: genus
7. Nuttallochiton
   rank: genus
8. Ischnochiton
   rank: genus
9. Hemiarthrum
   rank: genus
10. Fissurellidea
    rank: genus
11. Fissurella
    rank: genus
12. Puncturella
    rank: genus
13. Scurria
    rank: genus
14. Nacella
    rank: genus
15. Margarella
    rank: genus
16. Munditia
    rank: genus
17. Onoba
    rank: genus
18. Subonoba
    rank: genus
19. Rissoella
    rank: genus
20. Pickenia
    rank: genus
21. Crepipatella
    rank: genus
22. Laevilacunaria
    rank: genus
23. Laevilitorina
    rank: genus
24. Laevilitorina
    rank: genus
25. Pellilitorina
    rank: genus
26. Eatoniella
    rank: genus
27. Marseniopsis
    rank: genus
28. Skenella
    rank: genus
29. Liotella
    rank: genus
30. Sinuber
    rank: genus
31. Eumetula
    rank: genus
32. Omalogyra
    rank: genus
33. Microdiscula
    rank: genus
34. Acanthina
    rank: genus
35. Trophon
    rank: genus
36. Fuegotrophon
    rank: genus
37. Xymenopsis
    rank: genus
38. Prosipho
    rank: genus
39. Falsimohnia
    rank: genus
40. Chlanidota
    rank: genus
41. Pareuthria
    rank: genus
42. Microdeuthria
    rank: genus
43. Meteuthria
    rank: genus
44. Mathilda
    rank: genus
45. Flabellina
    rank: genus
46. Toledonia
    rank: genus
47. Scissurella
    rank: genus
48. Siphonaria
    rank: genus
49. Onchidella
    rank: genus
50. Turbonilla
    rank: genus
51. Neobuccinum
    rank: genus
52. Kidderia
    rank: genus
53. Lissarca
    rank: genus
54. Gaimardia
    rank: genus
55. Philobrya
    rank: genus
56. Neolepton
    rank: genus
57. Laternula
    rank: genus
58. Limea
    rank: genus
59. Aequiyoldia
    rank: genus
60. Altenaeum
    rank: genus
61. Hiatella
    rank: genus
62. Lasaea
    rank: genus
63. Aulacomya
    rank: genus
64. Perumytilus
    rank: genus
65. Arbacia
    rank: genus
66. Telmatogeton
    rank: genus
67. Rhionaeschna
    rank: genus
68. Helobdella
    rank: genus
69. Lancetes
    rank: genus
70. Liodessus
    rank: genus
71. Luchoelmis
    rank: genus
72. Haliplus
    rank: genus
73. Metamonius
    rank: genus
74. Massartelopsis
    rank: genus
75. Meridialaris
    rank: genus
76. Andesiops
    rank: genus
77. Aubertoperla
    rank: genus
78. Antarctoperla
    rank: genus
79. Notoperla
    rank: genus
80. Rhithroperla
    rank: genus
81. Udamocercia
    rank: genus
82. Austrocosmoecus
    rank: genus
83. Monocosmoecus
    rank: genus
84. Verger
    rank: genus
85. Mastigoptila
    rank: genus
86. Rheochorema
    rank: genus
87. Sigara
    rank: genus
88. Parochlus
    rank: genus
89. Gigantodax
    rank: genus
90. Hexatoma
    rank: genus
91. Hemerodromia
    rank: genus
92. Edwarsina
    rank: genus
93. Lancetes
    rank: genus
94. Limonia
    rank: genus
95. Aphroteniella
    rank: genus
96. Klapopteryx
    rank: genus
97. Pelurgoperla
    rank: genus
98. Teutoperla
    rank: genus
99. Metacosmoecus
    rank: genus
100. Pisidium
     rank: genus
101. Pectinidens
     rank: genus
102. Hyalella
     rank: genus
103. Hyalella
     rank: genus
104. Daphnia
     rank: genus
105. Boeckella
     rank: genus
106. Senzilloides
     rank: genus
107. Limnoperla
     rank: genus
108. Branchinecta
     rank: genus

This database compiles occurrences of various taxa of marine and freshwater invertebrate species recorded in the Subantarctic regions, including the Magellanic region, the Cape Horn Reserve Biosphere, the sub-Antarctic islands of South Georgia and Kerguelen, the west and east coasts of the Antarctic Peninsula, the South Shetland Islands, and the South Orkney Islands.