Abstract.-The aim of this study was to report the colouration patterns of live specimens of two Blenniidae species: Scartichthys gigas and S. viridis, from tide pools in the coastal area of 3 localities of northern Chile. Colouration patterns for S. gigas were: the two-bar front head covered/uncovered and the uniform orange-brown, found in specimens associated to kelps, for juveniles; an intermediate juvenile-adult reticulated bar-stained pattern described for the first time and the reticulated pattern for adults. For S. viridis the dark-light green pattern is described for juveniles and adults. The findings are discussed in terms of colouration patterns previously described for both species, with emphasis on the importance of using colouration patterns to improve species identification, reduce habitat disturbance and specimen removal from the wild.

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Background: Host plant specificity refers to the preference of insects for particular plant species that allow them to complete their life cycle. Moth species of the Geometridae family depend closely on the vegetation composition to complete their life cycles. In northern Chile, the Geometridae species Glena mielkei is the only species described of the genus Glena. So far, this species has only been associated to a single host plan species of the Asteraceae family, Trixis cacalioides. The aim of this study was to determine the suitability of five commonly occurring plant species of Asteraceae as hosts for G. mielkei. Findings: We collected G. mielkei larvae from T. cacalioides plants occurring in the Azapa valley and reared them in the laboratory. We tested host plant suitability by exposing recently lab-reared adults of G. mielkei to the following Asteraceae species: T. cacalioides, Pluchea chingollo, Baccharis salicifolia, Grindelia tarapacana and Tessaria absinthioides. Larvae fed with G. tarapacana died of starvation within four to five days. Larvae fed with B. salicifolia fed partially on the plant but died within the first and third day. Larvae fed with both plant species did not complete their development. Larvae fed with T. cacalioides, P. chingollo and T. absinthioides developed into adult stages, producing viable progeny. Conclusions: We found T. cacalioides, P. chingollo and T. absinthioides to be suitable hosts for G. mielkei. None of the larvae fed on G. tarapacana and B. salicifolia completed their life cycle. We conclude that this narrow range of host plants potentially threatens G. mielkei given the continuous loss of its host plants and feeding sources due to habitat loss and agricultural activities.

We report the capture of a single specimen of the species Paulia horrida Gray, 1840, off the coast of Arica, in the Arica and Parinacota Region, Northern Chile. This finding extends the currently known distributional range of the species by 2,434 km towards the south, since the southernmost known area for this species corresponds to Punta Sal, Peru. We discuss the importance of finding this relatively unknown species in Chile and the need to continue sampling to confirm the continuous distributional range of the species between the south of Peru and the north of Chile.

The trophic relationships of pelagic fishes with migratory traits such as the South Pacific Bonito, Sarda chiliensis chiliensis (Cuvier, 1832), have not been studied in depth in the past. The objective of the present research was to analyze the feeding habits of South Pacific Bonito by sex and to analyze a comparison between summer and autumn months in three different areas of the eastern South Pacific by applying different techniques used in trophic biology. Between December 2013 and June 2014, specimens were captured in the areas of Pozo de Lisas (Ilo, Peru), La Capilla (Arica, Chile) and Chanavayita (Iquique, Chile). The feeding dynamics and trophic composition of the diet were analyzed, as well as the feeding strategy and trophic relationships. A total of 1404 specimens were analyzed, of which 654 had stomach contents. Seven prey items were identified: (a) fish remains; (b) squid jaw remains; (c) squid gladius remains; (d) caudal fin remains; (e) Engraulis rigens; (f) Pleuroncodes monodon and (g) N/A (not determined). The Pozo de Lisas and La Capilla areas showed homogeneity in their prey items, while the Chanavayita area showed more diversity. Regarding the importance of prey items in the diet of S. chiliensis in the three localities, it would be correct to state that it is a generalist species.

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We present two new records of the colonial cup coral Coenocyathus bowersi Vaughan, 1906 from northern Chile. Colonies were collected off the coastal of Taltal, Antofagasta Region, and off the coast of the city of Iquique, Tarapacá Region, both in northern Chile. Our finds confirm the presence of this species on the Chilean coast and extend the geographic range of this species approximately 765 km north from the only other known occurrences of C. bowersi in Chile.

We report the observation of two juvenile specimens of Sashed Catfish, Galeichthys peruvianus Lütken, 1874, south of Arica, Chile, which expands the current known distributional range of the species, by adding a previously unrecorded locality. The importance of the presence of breeding populations in the northern coast of Chile is discussed.