Abstract

Codium fragile subsp. tomentosoides is an introduced macroalga on the coast of Chile. We identified and quantified the epiphytes present in basal, intermediate and apical sections of 32 thalli. The accumulation of epiphytes over time would explain why older sections of the thallus (basal and intermediate sections) host a greater amount of epiphytes, and why the composition of epiphyte assemblages in these sections is similar. In contrast, newer sections (apical) have been available for colonization for less time, resulting in a lower epiphyte load, and the composition of assemblages from this section differs from that of the rest of the thallus.