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A new species of Symphyla, Hanseniella guerreroi sp. nov., is described from specimens collected during expeditions to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago, including Isla Grande de Tierra del Fuego and Isla de los Estados in Argentina, as well as Isla Navarino in Chile. To the best of our knowledge, this new species represents the southernmost record for a myriapod of the class Symphyla. The morphological affinities of this species with other Hanseniella species from Gondwanan landmasses are discussed, highlighting its potential for studying the impact of the last Quaternary glaciation on soil arthropods in the far south of the continent. This discovery provides important insights into the biogeographic and evolutionary history of soil arthropods in these remote and climatically challenging regions. H. guerreroi sp. nov. is an exemplary species adapted to the harsh environmental conditions of subantarctic ecosystems and contributes significantly to our understanding of biodiversity and ecological dynamics in such challenging habitats.

Hanseniella chilensis is the only myriapod of the class Symphyla known from Chile. This garden centipede, or pseudocentipede, was described more than 120 years ago based on morphologically incomplete specimens collected in central Chile, a well-known biodiversity hotspot. In this study, we redescribe this species based on morphologically complete specimens collected near the type locality using scanning electron microscope images. Our study provides the description of diagnostic characters hitherto unknown in this species such as macrochaetae of the tergites and spinnerets of the cerci. We also include a new record from central Chile and discuss the presumed presence of this species in Argentina and Madagascar.

Research on the diversity and biogeography of Chilean millipedes represents a significant gap in knowledge. To reduce this gap we conducted a study: (1) to investigate the current state of knowledge of millipede diversity, and (2) to assess the pattern and causes underlying the latitudinal diversity gradient in Chilean millipedes. In Chile, 95 native millipede species have been recorded. However, rarefaction and extrapolation curves showed that increased sampling effort will reveal more species. An asymptotic estimate of diversity predicted that millipede diversity fluctuates between 125 and 197 species. The estimate, though, was based on a limited data set. Therefore, millipede diversity is probably higher than predicted. Chilean millipedes were categorized as micro-range endemics because they all have latitudinal ranges of less than 1,000 km (with 78% of species exhibiting latitudinal ranges of only ~222 km). Millipede species richness also exhibited a bell-shaped latitudinal diversity gradient, i.e. diversity peaks in the temperate climate of central Chile and decreases towards the arid and polar climates of northern and southern Chile. A multiple regression analysis revealed that this biogeographic pattern is shaped by environmental variables related to water availability, ambient energy inputs and climatic stability. These environmental variables are proxies for two of the five biogeographic hypotheses we tested in this study, i.e. the water-energy balance hypothesis and climatic stability hypothesis. Both hypotheses suggest that millipedes need stable, humid and warm climates to grow, survive and reproduce (niche conservatism). These climatic conditions are only found in central Chile, which is consistent with the diversity peak observed in that region.

Southern South American peatlands (SSAP) play a key role in the ecological dynamics of Patagonia. They mostly comprise of undisturbed environments which provide important ecosystem services, including carbon sequestration, water reservoir and habitat for both widespread and endemic organisms. When compared with boreal peatlands, our knowledge of the functioning of SSAP is poor, and it is necessary to raise awareness about their scientific and ecological value and to ensure their conservation. This article examines a broad base of historical and contemporary published research literature on the peatlands of Chile and Argentina, from 1843 onwards, to identify gaps in knowledge, implications for the assessment of peatland functioning, and targets for peatland conservation and management. To achieve this goal, we reviewed a total of 196 research papers/reports from across the peer-reviewed and grey literature. We conclude that gaps in our knowledge and understanding of SSAP have deeply undermined the development of effective conservation strategies for these understudied ecosystems. To reverse this situation, we recommend that future research and management efforts should aim: (1) to build an inventory of the peatlands that exist in SSAP, including their location and area; (2) to ensure land use planning prioritises the maintenance of SSAP ecosystem services; (3) to improve existing legislation and protocols of good and sustainable practice for extractive activities; and (4) to carry out an extensive awareness campaign aimed at the local population and key decision makers.

Welcome to the first issue of Biodiversity and Natural History, a peer-reviewed, open-access and electronic journal published by the Centro de Estudios en Biodiversidad de Chile (Center for Studies in Biodiversity). The journal was created in 2009 under the name of Boletín de Biodiversidad de Chile with the aim of being a contribution to the dissemination of the Chilean biodiversity and natural history. True to its original purpose, the journal only published Chilean manuscripts in the early years. However, as time went by, the journal also started to receive and publish manuscripts coming from elsewhere in the planet. Accordingly, the journal gradually became an international channel for the scientific promotion and dissemination of biodiversity and natural history and thus, the name of the journal, as well as its original scope and goals were no longer representative. Because of this, in late 2014 the Editorial Board decided to change the original name of the journal to Biodiversity and Natural History a...