Disjoint geographical distribution of intertidal and nearshore benthic invertebrates in the Southern Hemisphere

Biogeographical explanations for the extant and paleo disjoint geographical distribution in the southern hemisphere of five species of nearshore marin e benthic invertebrates: Gaimardia trapesina, Ostrea chilensis, Pyura stolo nifera taxonomic complex, Aulacomya ater and Concholepas concholepas, showi ng distinctive reproductive strategies and early life history characteristi cs are reviewed and analyzed. Through the use of published and new informat ion we contrasted the following hypotheses: a) vicariance-historical proces s, b) epiplanktonic larval dispersal, c) juvenile/adult dispersal through r afting and d) planned or accidental anthropogenic dispersal mechanisms. The juvenile/adult transoceanic dispersal hypothesis by rafting was the only o ne impossible to be rejected for the species analyzed. The implication and future direction for research in this area are discussed.