FOAM AS A DISPERSAL AGENT IN THE ROCKY INTERTIDAL OF CENTRAL CHILE

Culture studies under controlled laboratory conditions have demonstrated that seafoam contains macroalgal propagules which may contribute to the macroalgal populations common in the rocky intertidal of two localities from central Chile. Although macroalgal propagules are more abundant in the seawater of these localities than in the seaform, seafoam facilitates the attachment of spores and algal propagules and the subsequent development of the germlings by providing a suitable wet and calm environment during low tides.