Lorena Pilar Arribas, Martín Ignacio Brogger, Ariana Belén Alarcón Saavedra, Sol Aylén Rebolledo, José Elías Fernandéz Alfaya, Gregorio Bigatti

Seasonal population structure of the sea star Anasterias antarctica in intertidal boulders of the Protected Natural Area Puerto Lobos, Atlantic Patagonia

Introduction

Seasonal population structure of the sea star anasterias antarctica in intertidal boulders of the protected natural area puerto lobos, atlantic patagonia. Explore the seasonal population structure of the sea star Anasterias antarctica in Atlantic Patagonia's intertidal boulders. Discover biomass and size differences, vital for conservation and climate change monitoring.

Abstract

Intertidal boulders are complex marine environments which support unique marine assemblages, including species generally restricted to tide-pools, and also characteristics which make them ideal for experimental studies to further understanding ecological patterns. The goals of this study were to describe the seasonal population structure of the sea star Anasterias antarctica over two years and test the effects of environmental conditions over sea stars population in intertidal boulders of the Protected Natural Area Puerto Lobos in San Matías Gulf, Atlantic Patagonia. Our results showed seasonal differences in biomass and size of A. antarctica population over the two years sampled, although not significant relation was observed due to environmental conditions measured. To better understand A. antarctica population structure in the intertidal boulder fields of Puerto Lobos area more environmental variables need to be measured, as well as carrying out specific sampling to detect the smallest sizes of sea stars after the release of juveniles. These findings underscore the necessity of incorporating seasonal dynamics into monitoring programs for species that play key roles in communities, enabling us to detect potential changes driven by anthropogenic pressure or climate change, highlighting the importance of the study of these unique and poorly known rocky environments in Atlantic Patagonia.

Review

This study investigates the seasonal population structure of the sea star *Anasterias antarctica* within the intertidal boulder fields of the Protected Natural Area Puerto Lobos in Atlantic Patagonia. The research aims to describe population dynamics over a two-year period and assess the influence of environmental conditions on the species. The selection of intertidal boulders as a study environment is commendable, as these habitats are recognized for their unique assemblages and their potential as natural laboratories for ecological research. The finding of significant seasonal differences in the biomass and size of the *A. antarctica* population over the two years provides valuable baseline data, demonstrating the dynamic nature of this key species in a poorly understood region. However, the abstract highlights a crucial limitation: the absence of a significant relationship between the observed population differences and the environmental conditions measured. While the authors themselves acknowledge the need for "more environmental variables" and "specific sampling to detect the smallest sizes of sea stars after the release of juveniles," this points to a weakness in the current study's ability to elucidate the drivers behind the observed seasonality. A more comprehensive suite of environmental parameters, beyond those initially considered, would be necessary to move beyond descriptive patterns towards a mechanistic understanding of population fluctuations. Furthermore, the explicit incorporation of recruitment data is fundamental for a complete picture of population structure and dynamics, and its absence limits insights into demographic processes. Despite these limitations in establishing clear environmental drivers, the study’s contribution to understanding the seasonal dynamics of *Anasterias antarctica* in a unique and under-researched Patagonian habitat is noteworthy. The emphasis on the importance of incorporating seasonal dynamics into monitoring programs, particularly for species vital to their communities, underscores the practical relevance of this work in the face of anthropogenic pressure and climate change. This research serves as a valuable foundational description, paving the way for future, more comprehensive investigations that can build upon these findings to explore the intricate ecological patterns and drivers within these important intertidal boulder environments.

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