The presence of the genus Hyalella (Smith, 1875) in water bodies near Puerto Williams (Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, 54º S, Chile) (Crustacea, Amphipoda)

PATRICIO DE LOS RÍOS-ESCALANTE; ANDRES MANSILLA; CHRISTOPHER B. ANDERSON

Pan-American Journal of Aquatic Sciences

INST BIOCIENCIAS, DEPT ECOLOGIA

Lugar: Rio Claro; Año: 2011 vol. 6 p. 273 - 279

1809-9009

The  common  amphipod  genus  Hyalella  Smith,  1875  has  been  described  in  inland  waters between northern Patagonia (38º S) and the southern zones of Tierra del Fuego Island (54º S). The aim of the present  study  is  to analyse  the  species associations of  the genus Hyalella using a presence/absence matrix and  to study  the spatial distribution of H. patagonica  in small streams on Navarino  Island  in  the Cape Horn Biosphere Reserve, an unpolluted and pristine protected area with sub-Antarctic native forests. The  results  of  contingency  table  analysis  indicate  that  the  species  reported  from  the  study  area  are associated  and  that  the  H.  patagonica  populations  have  similar  densities  and  an  associated  spatial distribution. Nevertheless,  the  negative  binomial  distribution  does  not  fit  the  abundance  data  from  the populations.  This  result  agrees  partially  with  similar  findings  for  benthic  macroinvertebrates,  such  as inland water decapods and insects. Ecological and limnological topics are discussed.