Settlement sites of juvenile scallops Argopecten purpuratus (Lamarck, 1819) in the subtidal zone at Puerto Aldea, Tongoy Bay, Chile

A study was made of settlement sites of the Chilean scallop Argopecten purpuratus on a small natural bank at Puerto Aldea, Tongoy Bay, Chile (30 degrees 17 'S). Four distinct habitats in the area ware sun eyed for juvenile scallops, including seagrass, sand-gravel, fine sand with polychaete tubes, and muddy bottom. The highest densities of juvenile A. purpuratus were found in areas of fine sand dominated by polychaete tubes (Dioptra sp.), followed by areas with sand-gravel and seagrass. No juveniles were found on the muddy buttom. Settlement was found to occur in sites having habitat complexity such as the worm tubes and seagrass, because these provided protective refuge for the scallops, particularly in areas of soft bottom.