First record of the genus Polyxenus Latreille (Diplopoda: Penicillata: Polyxenida) in the supralittoral zone of Cocholgüe, Biobío Region, Chile

Abstract

Abstract. Diplopods are commonly found in edaphic habitats, but can also be present in other types of environments including supralittoral zones. In Chile, there are few records of halophilic diplopods, but none of them are from supralittoral environments. Therefore, this study reports the first record of a halophilic diplopod belonging to the genus Polyxenus Latreille in Chile, which was collected from the rocky supralittoral of Cocholgüe, Biobío Region. The presence of these specimens in the supralittoral zone is discussed together with the possible peculiarities that this type of myriapods presents in this unusual ecosystem.

Keywords

• Myriapods
• halophile
• rocky
• rocky supralittoral zone
• intertidal zone
• edaphic habitat