Abstract
The first complete zoogeographical analysis of Chilean shallow water sea anemones (Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia) and their taxonomic relations with neighbouring faunas is provided, based on extensive recent sampling in combination with a literature review. Between 1994 and 2004, we collected more than 1000 specimens of 32 distinct species of Actiniaria and Corallimorpharia at more than 100 sites along the Chilean coast between Arica (18°30’S; 70°19’W) and the Straits of Magellan (53°36’S 70°56’W). Sampling was done in the intertidal during low tides and in the subtidal by means of SCUBA diving down to depths of 40 m. The northern part of the Chilean fjord region showed the highest number of species (23). Our results contradict an abrupt general change in the marine faunal composition at 42°S, instead showing the continuation of species of the exposed coast and the joining of fjord species due to the availability of additional habitats in the richly structured fjord region south of 42°S, and also to eurybathy. The southern distribution limits of the species we found in northern and central Chile show only one significant concentration around the Peninsula Taitao (approx. 48°S). This either indicates a zoogeographic barrier for shallow water species at the Peninsula Taitao, or is a sampling artifact caused by poor data from the region between the Peninsula Taitao and the Straits of Magellan. According to the literature, 18 of the 63 described Chilean sea anemones (Pacific Ocean) can also be found in Argentina (Atlantic Ocean) and 13 in the Antarctic. However, many records and statuses of the common species of the South East Pacific and the South West Atlantic/Antarctic are uncertain or doubtful and need revision or confirmation.
Highlights
The coast of continental Chile extends over almost 4200 km and flanks a large part of the SouthEast Pacific
From the 32 shallow-water sea anemone species collected along the Chilean coast, we identified 19 to the species level and three to the genus level; ten species have not yet been identified (Fig. 2)
Antholoba achates was found along the TABLE 1. – List of sea anemones described from the coast of continental Chile
Summary
The coast of continental Chile extends over almost 4200 km and flanks a large part of the SouthEast Pacific. While the coastline between Arica (18°20’S) and Chiloé Island 56°S) is highly structured and presents a large number of islands, channels and fjords. An increased number of species can be observed there (Fernández et al, 2000, own observation), probably due to the highly heterogeneous coast with a large variety of habitats (Ward et al, 1999), the occurrence of marked differences within short distances (Antezana, 1999) and the existence of refugia in the Chilean fjord region during glaciation (Valdovinos et al, 2003). During the last three decades, a large number of papers have dealt with the biogeography of Chilean benthic invertebrates. Most studies have proposed two main biogeographic regions within Chile: the Peruvian or warm-temperate Province between the Peninsula Illescas (or Bayovar) 6°S) and Chiloé Island (42°S) and the Magellan or cold-temperate Province between Most studies have proposed two main biogeographic regions within Chile: the Peruvian or warm-temperate Province between the Peninsula Illescas (or Bayovar) (approx. 6°S) and Chiloé Island (42°S) and the Magellan or cold-temperate Province between
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