On the presence of Branchiostoma elongatum juveniles (Cephalochordata: Branchiostomatidae) on the north-central coast of Chile

Abstract

The presence of juvenile Branchiostoma elongatum captured in plankton samples from the north-central coast of Chile during February-March of consecutive years (2013-2020) is described. Its low abundance showed interannual variation as well as its frequency of occurrence. Its geographical distribution was preferably coastal. It covered the entire sampling area (1-20 nm from the coast) longitudinally, and specimens were captured between the extreme north of the sampling area and 30°20’S. The lowest abundances were found in years of negative thermal anomalies (2017-2018) and the highest mainly in neutral conditions (2013-2015).