Geographical distribution and abundance of Ctenocheilocaris galvarini (Crustacea: Mystacocarida) along the coast of Chile

The mystacocarid Ctenocheilocaris galvarini is a member of the intertidal meiofauna in exposed sandy beaches along the coast of Chile. Originally described by Dahl (1952) from sub-tidal sediment off Isla Guafo, the only other published record is from semi-fine intertidal sand in Las Cruces. This paper presents a variety of new records of C. galvarini based on both quantitative and qualitative sampling of the coast of Chile between 18 degrees S and 54 degrees S. Ctenocheilocaris galvarini is found primarily in southern Chile, south of 32 degrees, in the intertidal zone of intermediate beaches, in fine sand (Wentworth scale) most likely distributed between the level of the water-table and the surface, but avoiding dry sand.