Effects of volcanic ash on assemblage patterns and biological traits of Chironomidae in a north Andean Patagonian stream, Argentina

The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Volcanic Complex eruption occurred on June 4, 2011 (2236 m a.s.l. 40°32'S, 72°7'W). As a consequence, wide areas of Argentina were covered by volcanic ash. In order to investigate the effects of ashfall on chironomid assemblages, we conducted a study at Ñireco Riv...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Mauad, Melina, Siri, Augusto, Montes de Oca, Fernanda, Donato, Mariano Humberto
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Estado:Versión publicada
Fecha de publicación:2017
País:Argentina
Institución:Universidad Nacional de La Plata
Repositorio:SEDICI (UNLP)
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:sedici.unlp.edu.ar:10915/103464
Acceso en línea:http://sedici.unlp.edu.ar/handle/10915/103464
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Ciencias Naturales
Chironomidae larvae
Disturbance
Morphological features
South America
Descripción
Sumario:The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle Volcanic Complex eruption occurred on June 4, 2011 (2236 m a.s.l. 40°32'S, 72°7'W). As a consequence, wide areas of Argentina were covered by volcanic ash. In order to investigate the effects of ashfall on chironomid assemblages, we conducted a study at Ñireco River in the southwestern part of the Natural Reserve of Nahuel Huapi National Park that crosses the city of San Carlos de Bariloche, Río Negro, Argentina. We assessed changes in chironomid assemblage attributes and 18 biological traits, by comparing pre-eruption data (December 2009 and December 2010) with post-eruption data (November 2011). Volcanic ash caused negative effects on the chironomid assemblages, where richness and density decreased significantly and the subfamilies Podonominae, Tanypodinae and Chironominae disappeared. The ordination method (principal component analysis) based on abundance of taxa and functional trait composition distinguished pre-eruption from post-eruption periods. Specific tolerance to sedimentation was related to traits mostly associated with predaceous habits such as small size, large head, retractile antennae, long prolegs, presence of ligula and long apical mandibular tooth.