Intertidal belt-forming species on the Hocky coasts of Northern Chile

Abstract

The zonation at four places in N Chile is described. The general pattern of zonation throughout the Chilean coast is remarkably uniform with the important exception of Antogagasta where Pyura chilensis replaces algae in the infralittoral fringe. The physical environment is described in some detail and the major intertidal features of Chile are compared with those of eastern Australia and South-West Africa to which they bear a close resemblance.