Infralittoral ostracods from the southern Atacama Desert

Abstract

This communication examines the distribution of ostracods in the infralittoral zone of northern Chile, situated between 26 and 29°S, at depths ranging from 7 to 12 m. Sixteen taxa have been identified, of which the most abundant are Paracytheridea granti Leroy, 1943, P. longicaudata chilensis Hartmann, 1962, Patagonacythere tricostata Hartmann, 1962, Hemicythere foveata Hartmann, 1962, Loxoconcha fluctushumboldti Hartmann, 1962, Propontocypris calderensis Hartmann, 1962, and Xestoleberis simplex Hartmann, 1962. The results obtained are highly useful for their application in biogeographical studies, tsunami research, and the reconstruction of recent Quaternary paleoenvironments, particularly in areas such as the Atacama Desert, where studies focusing on this group are still scarce.