Revista Chilena de Historia Natural 77 (2): 257-283, 2004
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Intertidal limpets of Chile and Perú
In this study we present a classification system reflecting the phylogenetic relationships
for the intertidal patellogastropods of Chile and Perú. We infer phylogenetic relationships between limpets species using DNA
sequences from the 16S region of the mitochondrial genome. We include a comparative limpet study of: shell structure, color and
morphological patterns of the shell, radular teeth and anatomy. Additionally, we provide information about the distribution and ecology
for members of this group within the studied area. The results show a Chilean-Peruvian Lottiidae fauna consisting of at least nine
species, which are grouped into a single monophyletic clade Scurria (S. variabilis, S. zebrina,
S. viridula, S. plana, S. scurra, S. araucana, S. ceciliana and a non
identificated species), and a “problematic taxon” preliminarily assigned to the genus Lottia (‘Lottia’
orbignyi). The group of species is present in the intertidal rocky shores between 5º S and 54º S, from the upper to the
lower intertidal fringes, ranging from exposed to protected areas. The systematic outcome of this study suggests the synonymization
of S. parasitica to S. variabilis, and of S. ceciliana to S. boehmita. According to our
field results, the species S. variabilis shows at least three ecophenotypes: (1) on rocky substrates along the full
geographic range, (2) on the shells of the key-hole limpets: Fissurella crassa and F. limbata mainly in central
and south of Chile, and (3) on the chiton plates of Enoplochiton niger in the north of Chile and south of Perú. S.
ceciliana is a species in which morphology and color patterns are highly variable. In general, this variability indicates that the
Chilean Peruvian limpet species are among the most complex and diverse limpet fauna in the world. This, may reflects the taxonomic
confusion which has beset this fauna.
Key words:
Patellogastropoda,
limpets, rocky intertidal, Chile, Perú, phylogeny, ecology
