Rev. biol. mar. oceanogr. 48(3): 661-665

Research Note

Range extension of the non-indigenous alga Mastocarpus sp. along the Southeastern Pacific coast

Erasmo C. Macaya^1,2, Solange Pacheco¹, Ariel Cáceres¹ and Selim Musleh^1,2

¹Laboratorio de Estudios Algales (ALGALAB), Departamento de Oceanografía, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográficas, Universidad de Concepción,  Casilla 160-C, Concepción, Chile

²Interdisciplinary Center for Aquaculture Research (INCAR), Universidad de Concepción, Concepción, Chile

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The red macroalga Mastocarpus sp. (Rhodophyta, Gigartinales) has been reported as a non-indigenous species in central Chile. In this area the geographic range described for the species encompasses approximately 200 km, from Cobquecura (36°08’S, 72°48’W) up to Punta Lavapié (37°08’S, 73°35’W). Observations carried out at 22 localities along the central-southern Chilean coast allow us to extend the known range of this species approximately 300 km to the north and 600 km to the south. Additional analysis indicated high percentage cover on areas described as the introduction point of the species.

Key words:  Mastocarpus, geographic range, non-indigenous species, South-eastern Pacific coast