Resumen

AGUILERA, Moisés A.. Taxonomic considerations on Callistochiton pulchellus (Gray, 1828) (Mollusca, Placophora) at Iquique, northern Chile. Investig. mar. [online]. 2005, vol.33, n.2, pp. 207-210. ISSN 0717-7178.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-71782005000200008.

Information is presented on taxonomic traits of Callistochiton pulchellus (Gray, 1828) collected at thirteen sites between Iquique (20°12'S-70°09'W) and Pabellón de Pica (20°54'S-70°08'W) in the north of Chile. Sampling sites were at least one km apart. The species was found at only three of the thirteen sampling sites (23%), and only underneath boulders sunken in sand. A new southern limit for this species was recorded in Chanavayita, 54 km south of Iquique. The most important characteristics of its habitat are presently discussed, as well as the the most relevant morphological differences of this species in comparison with Calloplax vivipara (Plate, 1902) which it closely resembles in form and tegmental ornamentation. C. pulchellus had a greater number of radial lines on the cephalic plate (» 12) than C. vivipara (» 9). It was also noted that the central plates in the former species were more rectangular than those of the latter species

Palabras clave : Callistochiton pulchellus; taxonomic traits; geographic distribution; Iquique; Chile.