Direct development in the intertidal South American shell-less Onchidella marginata (Couthouy in Gould, 1852) (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia: Onchidiidae)

DALTON, MARÍA CECILIA; PENCHASZADEH, PABLO ENRIQUE

MOLLUSCAN RESEARCH

MAGNOLIA PRESS

Año: 2019 vol. 39 p. 373 - 376

1323-5818

This work shows evidence of complete encapsulated development of Onchidella marginata for the first time in South America. Recent common ancestry was suggested for geographically separated New Zealand sub-Antarctic and South American populations of Onchidella. This could be explained as driven by passive rafting mediated by circumpolar ocean currents. In samples from mussel- and algal-beds in intertidal rocky shores from the southern tip of South America (Tierra del Fuego Island, Argentina) we found both adults and egg masses, and crawling hatchlings were observed.