Los virus de influenza aviar (VIA) son patógenos importantes en aves acuáticas silvestres a nivel mundial; sin embargo, su presencia en regiones subantárticas sigue siendo en gran medida desconocida. Para abordar esta brecha en el conocimiento, se presentan aquí datos de vigilancia obtenidos en la Reserva de la Biosfera Cabo de Hornos, en el extremo sur de Chile, durante las temporadas reproductivas australes de 2024-2025. En total, se recolectaron 352 muestras fecales de sitios costeros, islotes y aves paserinas en programas de monitoreo a largo plazo. Solo una muestra ambiental obtenida en Punta Gusano en enero de 2024 resultó positiva mediante RT-PCR en tiempo real (Ct 36,78), lo que corresponde a una tasa de detección del 0,625%, mientras que todas las muestras de paserinos y de la temporada 2025 fueron negativas. Este único resultado débilmente positivo sugiere introducciones virales ocasionales, pero no hay evidencia de circulación sostenida. El hallazgo coincide con informes previos que muestran una dinámica activa de VIA en el norte y centro de Chile, pero una actividad muy limitada en la Patagonia. Asimismo, concuerda con los pocos casos confirmados de influenza aviar altamente patogénica H5N1 del clado 2.3.4.4b registrados en el extremo sur de Chile durante el brote de 2023. En conjunto, estas observaciones sugieren que el extremo sur de Chile sigue estando mínimamente afectado por los VIA. No obstante, su proximidad a la Antártida y su ubicación en la intersección de importantes rutas migratorias resaltan la importancia de mantener la vigilancia en estos ecosistemas remotos.
El conocimiento local de las comunidades ha sido fundamental para entender y gestionar los sistemas socio-ecológicos a lo largo de la historia. Sin embargo, en muchas ocasiones, este patrimonio cultural ha sido olvidado o marginado, lo que menoscaba la identidad, economía local y la apreciación y capacidad de gestión de recursos naturales. Mediante una aproximación etnográfica, este estudio realizado en Valdivia, Chile, rescata saberes relacionados con la pesca de un peculiar pez llamado puye (Galaxias maculatus), que desde tiempos precolombinos habría formado parte del sostén y acervo cultural de los pueblos en el sur de Chile. Aquí presentamos descripciones detalladas de la pesca del puye con “chine”, una red cónica que se fija en el litoral en enclaves estratégicos llamados “pesqueros”. Este particular arte de pesca se basa en el conocimiento detallado de la conducta de los peces juveniles durante su migración estuario-adentro, conocimiento consuetudinario que además enriquece el escaso conocimiento biológico del puye en Chile. Por otra parte, la gestión local de los pesqueros delimitó una cartografía oral que definió las toponimias actuales de navegación basado en normas tácitas y derechos consuetudinarios. Actualmente, la pesquería y cultura del puye se encuentran descuidadas y olvidadas. Sin embargo, esfuerzos conjuntos entre comunidades locales, investigadores y autoridades, fomentando la educación, aprovechamiento y el respeto por prácticas tradicionales podrían ayudar a revertir esta situación, no solo revitalizando la identidad cultural territorial relacionada al puye, sino también visibilizando y salvaguardando el buen estado ecológico de los estuarios patagónicos.
El visón americano (Neogale vison) se ha extendido por los canales y fiordos subantárticos, pero su presencia y sus antecedentes ecológicos en los remotos canales occidentales permanecen poco documentados. Este estudio reporta 25 nuevos registros de visón en esta área, obtenidos mediante observaciones directas durante campañas arqueológicas y a partir de información oportunista proporcionada por pescadores artesanales, incluyendo fotografías y videos entre los años 2022 y 2024. Estos hallazgos llenan vacíos de información en sectores previamente catalogados como sin datos y sugieren una colonización reciente según relatos de pescadores locales. Se registraron comportamientos oportunistas, como el ingreso de visones a embarcaciones pesqueras en busca de carnada, y la presencia inusual de individuos blancos. A su vez, pescadores relataron observaciones anecdóticas sobre la posible depredación de visones por parte del carancho negro (Phalcoboenus australis). La confirmación de la expansión del visón hacia la zona occidental plantea serios desafíos para las estrategias de conservación. Discutimos las implicancias para las colonias de aves y para la coexistencia con mustélidos nativos, resaltando vacíos críticos en las interacciones con el chungungo (Lontra felina), especie catalogada en peligro. Recomendamos fortalecer las acciones de monitoreo en áreas protegidas, integrar la observación comunitaria, reforzar los esfuerzos logísticos institucionales y avanzar en la implementación de medidas de control específicas para mitigar los impactos en los ecosistemas costeros subantárticos.
Understanding how acoustic environments vary across habitats is essential for interpreting avian communication in rapidly changing landscapes. In this exploratory ecoacoustic study, we examined short-term patterns of bird acoustic activity and background sound levels in three adjacent habitats of Omora Park, southern Chile: old-growth forest, riparian forest, and the entrance of a recreational trail. Using 67 one-minute recordings collected across a single sampling day, we quantified the number of avian vocalizations, non-avian sounds, and basic acoustic indices (maximum amplitude, RMS, and percent silence). Old-growth forest exhibited the highest acoustic activity, with approximately twice as many vocalizations per minute as the riparian site and the trail entrance. Non-avian noise levels were similar across habitats, although the trail entrance showed occasional high-amplitude peaks and the riparian site displayed continuous geophonic noise from the river. A negative correlation between non-avian sounds and avian vocalizations suggests potential masking processes, although the limited temporal scope of the study prevents causal inference. Our findings highlight fine-scale habitat differences that shape the sub-Antarctic soundscape and underscore the potential of ecoacoustic monitoring for informing conservation in remote areas. We discuss methodological constraints—short sampling duration, lack of calibrated sound pressure measurements—and propose research directions to strengthen future assessments of anthropogenic and environmental noise in high-latitude ecosystems.
Marian Cove, a proglacial Antarctic fjord, has been strongly affected by glacier retreat, generating a pronounced environmental gradient that shapes the structure and composition of benthic communities. Given its ecological relevance, this review aims to compile and synthesize existing information on the ecology, biodiversity, and functional dynamics of these communities, identifying patterns of ecological succession, trophic coupling, and resilience in response to glacier retreat. A systematic literature search was conducted using Google Scholar and Web of Science, covering the past three decades and applying inclusion criteria restricted to peer-reviewed studies focused on the ecological or trophic aspects of Antarctic macrobenthos. The reviewed studies reveal that high sedimentation rates and turbidity near the glacier favor low-diversity pioneer communities, while outer sectors host more diverse and functionally complex assemblages. Local benthic production and functional redundancy emerge as primary mechanisms of ecological resilience under increasing disturbance, with functionally redundant species adapted to the environmental gradient and key taxa maintaining energy fluxes and local biodiversity. Comparisons between Marian Cove and other Antarctic fjords, such as Potter Cove, highlight convergent ecological mechanisms operating under different levels of glacial disturbance, where local benthic production and redundancy sustain ecosystem resilience. This review synthesizes three decades of research in a representative Antarctic fjord and underscores the need for long-term monitoring, standardized methodologies, and international collaboration to anticipate critical thresholds of ecological stability in proglacial ecosystems facing accelerated climate change.
New records of poorly known amphipods of the suborder Amphilochidea associated with a marine sponge (Porifera: Demospongiae) collected in Seno Magdalena, Aysén region, are presented. The presence of four species belonging to the infraorders Amphilochida and Lysianassida was determined. The species Polycheria macrophthalma Schellenberg, 1931 and Aristias linnaei Pérez-Schultheiss, 2015, which had not been recorded since their original descriptions, are documented, while Andaniotes linearis Barnard, 1932 extends its range in Chile. Finally, a putatively undescribed species of the genus Aristias, disclosed here by a single female specimen, is preliminarily recorded.
disminución global de especialistas en botánica y, particularmente, de profesionales capacitados en la identificación de plantas (taxonomía vegetal), ha sido destacada como un problema creciente en el ámbito científico internacional (Bidwell, 2013; Drea, 2011; Woodland, 2007). Aunque este fenómeno suele percibirse como una crisis disciplinaria o académica, en la Región de Magallanes adquiere una relevancia crítica. En un territorio caracterizado por ecosistemas frágiles, dinámicos y excepcionalmente poco estudiados, la pérdida de capacidades taxonómicas incide directamente en la calidad de las decisiones ambientales, en la planificación territorial y en la conservación de la biodiversidad.
A nivel nacional, la región de Magallanes es un foco de atención en lo que respecta a la gestión y conservación de la biodiversidad. En los últimos cinco años, Magallanes se ha convertido en un centro de desarrollo en el ámbito de las políticas públicas, impulsando dos grandes iniciativas. La primera es el proyecto piloto de Líneas Bases Públicas (PLBP), que describe un análisis descriptivo del medio ambiente y la biodiversidad actuales de las provincias de Magallanes y Tierra del Fuego. Este proyecto, que duró tres años (2023-2025), proporcionó información pública validada metodológicamente que se utilizará como base de datos mínima para el estudio y desarrollo de futuros proyectos en el área de influencia, entre los que se encuentran los de H2V (GEA-UMAG, 2025).De forma complementaria al PLBP, este año se inició el proyecto GEF-SBAP. El objetivo de este plan piloto, que tiene una duración de cuatro años (2024-2029), es apoyar la implementación y puesta en marcha del nuevo Servicio de Biodiversidad y Áreas Protegidas (SBAP), así como promover la conservación de la biodiversidad más allá de estos territorios integrando instrumentos innovadores y articulando a múltiples actores públicos y privados. Este proyecto contribuirá a mejorar la coherencia institucional y política para la gestión de la biodiversidad, fortalecerá las capacidades técnicas a nivel nacional y regional y promoverá experiencias piloto de conservación integradas en ecosistemas clave (GEF-SBAP, 2025).
The southern Patagonian steppe grasslands are fundamental ecosystems for biodiversity conservation and the maintenance of productive activities, although they are highly sensitive to anthropogenic disturbances. This study assessed vegetation cover recovery along a section of the Dungeness–Daniel Este 8" hydrocarbon pipeline, Magallanes Region (Chile), to determine the ecological resilience of coironal grassland nearly three decades after its construction. Vegetation characterization was performed using 72 modified Parker plots of 1 m² (2 × 0.5 m). In each plot, the presence and cover of all vascular and cryptogamic species were recorded, together with litter, standing dead vegetation, bare soil, stones, and feces. Thirty-six plots were placed randomly along the pipeline axis (flow line), and thirty-six in a non-intervened reference area located 20–25 m away but under grazing use. Species richness, vegetation cover, bare soil, and diversity indices (Shannon and Pielou) were calculated. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests (Kruskal–Wallis) and multivariate analyses (PCA, ANOSIM, and SIMPER). A total of 66 species were identified, 81.8% of which were native. Vegetation cover reached 67.8% along the pipeline and 73.9% in the reference area, exceeding the 60% threshold required by the Environmental Qualification Resolution. No significant differences in richness or diversity were detected, indicating a comparable floristic structure. Dominant species Festuca gracillima and Baccharis magellanica accounted for 40% of total dissimilarity, together with colonizing species such as Acaena magellanica and Rumex acetosella, indicating an advanced stage of secondary succession. The occurrence of Chloraea magellanica, a rare orchid with restricted distribution, highlights the presence of functional microhabitats and recovering mycorrhizal associations. Results demonstrate that, despite arid conditions and grazing pressure, vegetation has re-established its structure and function through passive restoration processes. This case provides empirical evidence that underground pipelines, when maintaining ecological connectivity, can be integrated into the landscape without significant biodiversity loss.
New data on the fecal composition of sea otters (Lontra felina and L. provocax) from northern Chile and the Magallanes region are presented, and dietary shifts along the eastern southwestern Pacific coast from southern Peru to the southernmost part of Chile are analyzed. Data on the fecal composition of L. felina from northern Chile (Punta Patache) and L. provocax from Patagonian channels and fjords are compared with published data for inland waters of the Araucanía region and the Pacific coast of southern Peru and central Chile. The sea otter, L. felina, is a top predator in the benthic communities of the southeastern Pacific coast, from Chimbote in Peru to Cape Horn in Chile, and L. provocax represents the same in the freshwater ecosystems of Araucanian lakes and rivers in Chile and Argentina. Despite their importance in nutrient transport and the food webs of the systems they comprise, there are few studies on their trophic ecology and their participation in ecological processes. The diet of sea otters (L. felina and the marine population of L. provocax) comprises a wide range of prey, including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, birds, echinoderms, and small mammals. In both cases, quantitative analysis showed shifts in prey species along the latitudinal gradient, closely related to the biogeographic zonation of fish and crustaceans in the area. Otters in the freshwater population feed on a few species of shrimp, fish, and mussels from oligotrophic and mesotrophic waters, and their conservation is necessarily linked to the conservation of the habitat of this prey and their availability. Both otter species are classified as generalist and opportunistic species, meaning they depend on a wide variety of prey species, primarily including fish, crustaceans, mollusks, and birds. With local and sectoral variations, both otter species prey primarily on carnivores and herbivores, but also include omnivores, carnivores, and detritivores to a lesser extent, making them top predators in the rocky inter- and subtidal community.
Coloration in vertebrates is determined by the presence or absence of pigments, whose alteration may result in atypical conditions such as albinism, dilution, schizochromatism, and leucism. These anomalies usually originate from genetic mutations, influenced by environmental factors, exposure to pollutants, or artificial selection. Leucism is expressed in partially or completely white individuals, but with normally pigmented eyes and claws, which distinguishes it from albinism. In teleost fishes, these alterations have been documented in multiple marine and freshwater species, with behavioral and ecological implications. In particular, some Siluriformes exhibit gregarious advantages, such as efficient resource use and protection against predators. Genidens barbus, an anadromous and migratory marine catfish distributed from Brazil to Argentine and Chilean Patagonia, represents a vulnerable resource due to its complex reproductive cycle. In Argentina, two stocks are recognized: northern and Patagonian. For the former, a previous record of albinism has been reported. This study reports the first case of leucism in the Patagonian stock of G. barbus, corresponding to a juvenile measuring 305 mm in total length, captured in November 2022 at El Cóndor, Río Negro. The specimen exhibited a complete lack of body pigmentation, but normal eyes. Among 372 individuals sampled since 2017, this represents the only case recorded in Patagonia and the second in Argentina, confirming the rarity of this condition.
To study the effect of ENSO (El Niño Southern Oscillation) events on the diet of the chungungo [Lontra felina (Molina, 1782)] in northern Chile, fecal samples from Punta Patache (20°48´S, 70°11’50’’W) were studied and analyzed. The samples were collected during three periods with different degrees of ENSO impact on the coastal macroalgal community. Feces from the following periods were studied and compared: Period 1 (1985/87): absence of kelp beds due to mortality generated by ENSO 1982/83, with extensive bleached bottoms with calcareous algae; Period 2 (1995): beginning of the cold ENSO phase with partial recovery of the intertidal belt of Lessonia spicata, the subtidal belt of L. trabeculata but absence of Macrocystis integrifolia; Period 3 (1999/2000): corresponds to the cold ENSO phase of 1998/2001 with reestablishment of the inter and subtidal kelp forests. In the absence of kelp beds (period 1), the diet consisted primarily of fish (73.7% of prey), 18.4% crustaceans, and 7.9% mollusks. With the settlement of macroalgae (period 2), fish consumption decreased to 49.3% of prey and increased to 29.0% crustaceans and 13.0% mollusks. With the reestablishment of the kelp beds (period 3), fish consumption decreased to 22.6% of prey, while crustaceans accounted for 41.9% and mollusks 19.4%. Echinoderms were also consumed in 3.2%. Overall, the diversity (H') of fecal composition increases as kelp beds develop, from 2.15 (period 1) to 2.5 (period 2) and 2.8 (period 3) (statistically significantly different; p < 0.06). The results show that the chungungo exhibits great adaptability to environmental changes, being able to survive in conditions of high impacts and low prey diversity (period 1 of this study). However, it is unknown how these trophic restrictions can affect the nutritional and health status of the otters, their population density, reproductive rates, survival of offspring and adults, and other aspects important for species protection and conservation programs.
Marine animal forests (MAFs) are benthic ecosystems dominated by structure-forming invertebrates (e.g., corals, sponges) that provide critical structural habitat and ecosystem services globally. The objective of this paper is to synthesize current knowledge on the role of MAFs in supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and delivering economic value. Furthermore, it explores how emerging technologies are revolutionizing the study of these ecosystems. The paper concludes by outlining urgent research priorities required to guide conservation efforts and secure the vital services these ecosystems provide.
Underground hydrocarbon pipelines represent a growing source of disturbance in arid and cold ecosystems of southern South America, yet their long-term ecological impacts remain poorly understood. We evaluated the effects of pipeline construction on vegetation and soil in Festuca gracillima (coironal) grasslands of the Magellanic steppe, Chile. Fourteen pipelines of varying ages (3–14 years) were surveyed using 442 vegetation plots (221 along the pipeline corridor, 221 in reference areas), combined with soil sampling (0–15 cm) for physical and chemical analyses. Vegetation was strongly affected. Species richness declined significantly in the pipeline corridor (19.6 ± 9.9 vs. 31.0 ± 9.6 species), as did total cover (36.2 ± 19.6% vs. 74.0 ± 6.0%), while bare soil increased markedly. Shannon diversity was slightly higher in disturbed sites (H' = 2.06 ± 0.37 vs. 1.75 ± 0.45), reflecting the proliferation of ruderal and introduced species. SIMPER analysis showed that the decline of native dominants such as Festuca gracillima and Empetrum rubrum, together with the expansion of Poa pratensis, Rumex acetosella, and Taraxacum officinale, explained more than 50% of community dissimilarity. The invasive Hieracium pilosella was unexpectedly more abundant in reference areas, suggesting a preference for intermediate disturbance regimes. Soil responses were more subtle but not negligible. Most physical properties (bulk density, porosity, water holding capacity) showed no consistent differences between treatments. However, several chemical parameters were significantly altered in disturbed soils, including increases in total nitrogen, available phosphorus, manganese, calcium, magnesium, and nitrate, and a decrease in exchangeable aluminum and clay content, although most changes faded out at short term. Canonical Correspondence Analysis revealed clear floristic segregation along gradients of bare soil, sand content, organic matter, and pH, indicating that soil properties, although moderately affected, shape successional trajectories. Overall, our results demonstrate that underground pipelines cause long-lasting changes in vegetation structure and composition, even when soil alterations appear modest or transient. Natural regeneration progresses slowly, leading to simplified communities dominated by opportunistic species with protective but low functional value. These findings highlight the need to critically evaluate restoration strategies based on agronomic sowing, and to consider assisted natural regeneration as a more sustainable option for conserving biodiversity, ecosystem function, and soil carbon stocks in arid grasslands.
Se presenta una reevaluación de la opilionofauna de la familia Gonyleptidae en la región de Magallanes (Chile), incluyendo una redescripción detallada de la especie Eubalta planiceps (Guérin-Méneville, 1842). A partir de la revisión de literatura, material de colección y registros de ciencia ciudadana, se evaluaron los antecedentes disponibles para todas las especies citadas históricamente en el área. Se determinó que la mayoría de los registros corresponden a errores de etiquetado o a sinónimos, restringiéndose la fauna magallánica confirmada a Eubalta planiceps y Eubalta phillipsoni (Roewer, 1961) comb. nov. Un análisis morfológico permitió establecer la sinonimia del género Chilegyndes Roewer, 1961 con Eubalta Roewer, 1923, y describir en detalle la morfología externa y genital del macho de E. planiceps. Se discuten las afinidades morfológicas del género Eubalta con los géneros Fonckia y Purrankia, dentro del recientemente sugerido grupo Fonckia. Los resultados indican que la fauna de Gonyleptidae en Magallanes está pobremente representada, y se enfatiza la necesidad de nuevas prospecciones sistemáticas para evaluar su diversidad y distribución en el extremo sur de Sudamérica.
The scientific name of the South American Sea Lion has been the subject of a long controversy, therefore the main objective of the present contribution was to compare the original descriptions of the species called Phoca flavescens (Shaw, 1800) or Phoca byronia (de Blainville, 1820). First a brief historical review of the first europeans who knew these animales was made, and then we went on to compare the two original descriptions, raising the hypothesis that Shaw´s description had validity and therefore priority over de Blainville’s. Both descriptions and the defense that the authors have been more concerned about this subject, have argued for each of them are discussed, and it is concluded that de Blainville´s description is the valid one. Consequently, the scientific name of the South American Sea Lion must be Otaria byronia (de Blainville, 1820)
In aquatic insects, body size and shape are key traits that may indicate phenotypic plasticity or adaptations to their hydrological landscape. Liodessus chilensis is a small and poorly-known aquatic beetle that inhabits permanent and temporary bodies of water. Accompanying the report of the species in different habitats of Navarino Island, an update of its description is presented. Additionally, body shape variation of different populations of L. chilensis is evaluated. Geometric morphometric analysis and multivariate regressions on the body shape of L. chilensis show variation mainly in the posterior part of the elytra and could indicate plasticity linked to the nature of the habitats in which they occur. The population of temporary pools presents shorter and broader elytra in their terminal part, while those that inhabit peat bogs and wetlands are longer and elongated. Additionally, a positive allometric effect was found, indicating that in addition to the differences in body shape, populations inhabiting temporary pools tend to be smaller in size. The plasticity of forms of L. chilensis as well as their permanent and temporary habitats can be considered as sentinels of environmental changes. These results are relevant for the Magallanes region, which has recently been declared prone to drought.
This study aims to evaluate the effect of a Modified Voisin Rational Grazing system on sheep farming. Different studies have shown that the implementation of Voisin grazing increases pasture production and animal load, without the need to use chemical fertilizers, reducing production costs and dependence on agroindustrial inputs. The aim was to compare continuous grazing with stocking rate with Modified Voisin Rational Grazing on the composition, structure and biological diversity of plant species in two typical formations of the Magellanic steppe (vega and mata-coirón), using the modified Whittaker method. The biological factors that affect the distribution of species between the different treatments were analyzed. Finally, we estimated the available forage of the Modified Voisin Rational Grazing and the stocking rate in vega and mata-coirón using the 9-step methodology. The results indicate that the Modified Voisin Rational Grazing failed to promote significant variation in species diversity and richness. On the contrary, a decrease in vegetation cover was recorded in the mata-coirón and vegas formations. This causes an increase in the percentage of bare soil, resulting in a decrease in the availability of forage, which is reflected in meadows. On the other hand, the PC had a relevant increase in the availability of forage for the mata-coirón formation; Regarding vegetation cover and percentages of bare soil, these also decrease over time for both plant formations evaluated, with the decrease being smaller in mata-coirón
In aquatic insects, body size and shape are key traits that may indicate phenotypic plasticity or adaptations to their hydrological landscape. Liodessus chilensis is a small and poorly-known aquatic beetle that inhabits permanent and temporary bodies of water. Accompanying the report of the species in different habitats of Navarino Island, an update of its description is presented. Additionally, body shape variation of different populations of L. chilensis is evaluated. Geometric morphometric analysis and multivariate regressions on the body shape of L. chilensis show variation mainly in the posterior part of the elytra and could indicate plasticity linked to the nature of the habitats in which they occur. The population of temporary pools presents shorter and broader elytra in their terminal part, while those that inhabit peat bogs and wetlands are longer and elongated. Additionally, a positive allometric effect was found, indicating that in addition to the differences in body shape, populations inhabiting temporary pools tend to be smaller in size. The plasticity of forms of L. chilensis as well as their permanent and temporary habitats can be considered as sentinels of environmental changes. These results are relevant for the Magallanes region, which has recently been declared prone to drought.
For birds and megamammals, both the abundance and records of fauna roadkill in summer, on paved roads and gravel roads in the Magallanes Region, Chile, are described. In both types of routes, two specialists conducted vehicle routes, recording the number of birds and mammals, both alive and hit by vehicles, for each kilometer. The southern caracara was the most abundant species of raptor on paved roads in relation to gravel roads, while the guanaco was the most abundant mammal, both on roads and paths. Seven species were recently hit by roadkill, four mammals and three birds, all on the paved road, with no roadkill recorded on gravel roads. The hare was the mammal with the highest number of run-overs. The negative and positive effects of the roads on the fauna groups studied will be analyzed
