Enfoque biogeográfico y ecológico de los ensambles de micromamíferos en los andes centrales de Argentina

AGUSTINA NOVILLO; OJEDA RICARDO ALBERTO

Revista del Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales nueva serie

Museo Argentino de Ciencias Naturales ?Bernardino Rivadavia? e Instituto Nacional de Investigación de las Ciencias Naturales

Lugar: Ciudad Autonoma de Buenos Aires; Año: 2018

The Andes constitutes one of the most extensive mountain range on the planet and a true aboratory for the study of the evolution of the South American biota. In recognition to José Yepes, one of the pioneers in characterizing the distribution of mammals of Argentina we seek in this contribution to synthesize, from ecological biogeography, the knowledge we have about the diversity patterns of small mammals of the Central Arid Andes (ACA). In particular, we characterize regional and local patterns of rodent richness and endemism as a function of latitude, altitude and area. At regional scale, we constructed a species database using species range maps, meanwhile at the local scale, small mammal surveys were conducted using standardized techniques along 4 elevational transects between 32 S and 35 S. Species richness patterns were analyzed through generalized models, and species?area relationship was assessed by log?log regression; the curvilinear method (c = S/Az) was use to compute richness corrected by area size. To account for the effects of climate, topography and space we used variation partitioning. Among the results, we highlight, at regional level: a) a high number of endemisms (> 50%) b) richness increase with elevation, and c) marked endemic species ? área relationship. Among the results at local level we highlight: d) richness increases with elevation, mean precipitation and topographic heterogeneity, and e) greater abundance at intermediate elevations. Among causal factors, climate and topography account for 35% of the variability of species richness. Biogeographic-ecological research allows us to depict patterns of composition and distribution of the central Andean biodiversity, and assess some of its causal factors. However, the long term conservation of the Andes requires not only solid biological / ecological knowledge but also conservation policies that integrate the biological, social and cultural dimensions of the Andean ecosystem. This approach seems the most appropriate alternative in the face of the different impacts induced by man and the climate change in the region.