EVALUATION OF POPULATION AND SOCIAL COMPOSITION OF VICUNAS (VICUGNA VICUGNA) IN DIFFERENT ENVIRONMENT SITES OF THE LAGUNA BLANCA BIOSPHERE RESERVE (CATAMARCA, ARGENTINA).

HICK, MICHEL VICTOR HUBERT; RIVA DE NEYRA, LEONARDO ATILIO; FRANK, EDUARDO NARCISO

Assisi

Simposio; 7th European Symposium on South American Camelids and 3rd European Meeting on Fibre Animals; 2017

University of Camerino

The wild vicuna is an important resource for the Laguna Blanca Reserve, where capture and shearing for the sustainable use of its fiber is practiced. The objective of this study was to evaluate population variables of the vicunas in eight different vegetation communities of the reserve. Vicuna counts were conducted by direct observation in communities of shrub steppes (2), herbaceous steppes (2), and waterfowl meadows (marshes) (4) during April 2013. Relative abundance (I) (observations/time), percentages of family group (% FG), single males (% SM) and number of offspring (No. Off.) were determined. Regarding FG, we determined Family Group Size (FGS) and Male: Female: offspring) ratio. The FG% and FGS were assessed on the basis of statistical evidence (Student´s T-test) of non-compliance with the FG standard ≥60 and FGS≥6. MFOr was assessed on the basis of statistical evidence (χ2 goodness test) of non-compliance with MFOr standard ≠ 1: 4: 2. The largest number of vicunas was recorded in the steppes (shrubs and herbaceous) (113) as well as the No. Off. (19). In the environments of herbaceous steppes, greater %FG was observed, and in the bushes steppes greater % SM. Good values of I in herbaceous and shrub steppes were obtained, and in marsh environments no vicunas were reported. It is concluded that environments shaped by shrubs and herbaceous steppes meet at least two of the three population attributes. In marshes, despite being the best communities, they did not meet any attributes. The absence of vicunas may be due to the presence of domestic livestock in these sites.Keywords: Wild Camelids, Puna, Biosfere, reserve