Abstract

We describe the basic ecology of two key-hole limpets, Fissurella crassa and Fissurella limbata, which are heavily harvested by coastal shellfishermen (mariscadores) at the rocky intertidal of central Chile. The ecological role of human predationon these species was assessed. Anthropic exclusion from a stretch of the rocky intertidal at Las Cruces (non-harvested area) for about two and a half years resulted in changes of the densities and size distributions of these fissurelid species as compared to populations in control zones (harvested area). Differential human predation generates, on key-hole limpets, responses of different intensities related to the accessibility of man to the mesohabitats (sheltered platforms, exposed platforms and vertical walls) and fringes of the intertidal (mid-low intertidal and Lessonia nigrescens fringe). Thus, size distributions and mean densities of both fissurelids differ widely between the harvested and non-harvested areas on both platform habitats but not on vertical walls. In the mid-low intertidal fringe, differences are greater than in the less accessible L. nigrescens intertidal fringe. Moreover, we discuss the way in which other species, directly harvested by mariscadores (i.e., the mollusk Concholepas concholepas) can affect the key-hole limpet populations of central Chile rocky shores. Finally, we highlight the ecological role of these limpets on the dynamics of intertidal ecosystems and how they can modify community landscape.