Vertical distribution of coralline algae in the rocky intertidal of northern Chile

Abstract

Studies on crustose corallines present in the intertidal region at three localities in northern Chile (30° S), show that these algae are well represented in exposed and protected sites, reaching up to 90% cover. Species composition differs between sites with the common occurrence of species or morphological variants of Spongites and a single taxon attributed to Phymatolithon at the most exposed sites, and species of Lithophyllum and Titanoderma at more protected localities. The two Lithophyllum taxa recorded are distinguished by the presence/absence of protuberances, cell size and degree of calcification, while Titanoderma taxa are segregated by the thickness of the thallus, hypothallic and perithallic cell size and shape. Spongites taxa are distinguished on the basis of external morphology and anatomical features such as cell size, degree of calcification and percentage of fusions between cells. The variability of these features within each species is still unknown thus, the taxa remain without specific epithet until further studies. Examination of specific types recorded for nearby regions are also required in order to clarify the taxonomy of the group in these coasts.