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 purp uratus on a small natural bank at Puerto Aldea, Tongoy Bay, Chile (30 degre es 17 'S). Four distinct habitats in the area ware sun eyed for juvenile sc allops, including seagrass, sand-gravel, fine sand with polychaete tubes, a nd muddy bottom. The highest densities of juvenile A. purpuratus were found in areas of fine sand dominated by polychaete tubes (Dioptra sp.), followe d by areas with sand-gravel and seagrass. No juveniles were found on the mu ddy buttom. Settlement was found to occur in sites having habitat complexit y such as the worm tubes and seagrass, because these provided protective re fuge for the scallops, particularly in areas of soft bottom.