Marine isopods and amphipods (Crustacea: Peracarida) recorded from Isla de los Estados and surrounding waters

Abstract

Isopods and amphipods are ubiquitous crustaceans in benthic marine environments. Both orders exhibit high biodiversity in the Southern Ocean and the Magellan Region; however, no previous study has synthesized the fauna recorded from Isla de los Estados (Argentina). To address this gap, we present a comprehensive list of marine isopods and amphipods reported from this island and its surrounding waters. Data were obtained from the literature and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) database. In total, 29 species of isopods and 22 species of amphipods were recorded across 18 sampling stations carried out during 10 different surveys. Most of the reported species exhibit a Magellanic distribution pattern. The biodiversity reported here is relatively low compared to adjacent areas of the Magellan Region, suggesting that Isla de los Estados and its marine surroundings remain undersampled. Further surveys, particularly in the deeper waters south of the island, are likely to reveal additional species from both crustacean orders.