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The presence of juvenile Branchiostoma elongatum captured in plankton samples from the northcentral coast of Chile during February-March of consecutive years (2013-2020) is described. Its low abundance showed interannual variation as well as its frequency of occurrence. Its geographical distribution was preferably coastal. It covered the entire sampling area (1-20 nm from the coast) longitudinally, and specimens were captured between the extreme north of the sampling area and 30°20'S. The lowest abundances were found in years of negative thermal anomalies (2017-2018) and the highest mainly in neutral conditions (2013-2015). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larvae of Blepharipoda spinosa and Lepidopa chilensis were collected from Chile's northcentral coast (Paposo 25.0°S and Oscuro Port 31.5°S) in each February of 2013-2017. Larvae were separated by their development stage. Their abundance, occurrence, and distribution concerning its proximity to the coast were analyzed. Larval abundance and frequency of occurrence were low in both species. Zoea I dominated the highest concentrations detected in coastal stations and near the study area's longest sandy beaches. Interannual variation of larvae was seen in the abundance and composition by development stages. The highest abundance of B. spinosa larvae was found in February 2016, while L. chilensis larvae had the highest abundance in February 2014. Their presence and development stages in the wide sampling area provide information on both species' distribution and reproductive activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]