In this study, we analyzed the biogeographic patterns of the Chilean littor
al fish fauna, including latitudinal trends in teleost and chondrichhyan fi
sh species richness, their distribution range patterns, and their level of
endemism, both to the Chilean coast and the Southeastern Pacific. We determ
ined the number and percentage of fish taxa within four different groups ba
sed on their biogeographic affinities. This was done, both for teleost and
chondrichthyan fishes, at the species, genus and family level. In order to
recognise the existence of biogeographic regions, we applied cluster and or
dination analyses to the distribution data, using objective bootstrapping t
echniques at the three taxonomic levels used. We found that littoral fish d
iversity remains fairly constant along the coast down to around 40 degrees
S, declining south of this latitude. We detected two biogeographic regions
along the Chilean coast, with a break between them at 40 degrees S. These r
esults lend support to previously recognized biogeographic provinces or fau
nistic units. These two biogeographic regions are a reflection of the mixed
origin of the Chilean littoral ichthyofauna, consisting of northern warm-t
emperate fishes of subtropical origin and southern cold-temperate fishes of
subantarctic origin. While the percentage of fishes endemic to the Chilean
coast is not high (18%), a large percentage of teleost species inhabiting
Chilean littoral waters are endemic to the Southeastern Pacific (44%). Disp
ersal and evolutionary history, rather that other factors, seem to explain
the observed patterns of distribution of this: particular fish fauna. This
study represents a necessary first step towards understanding the biogeogra
phy of Southeastern Pacific marine fishes.