Unraveling Plecoptera Diversity in Two Protected Areas of Argentine Patagonia

DUARTE, TÁCIO; MARTIN, GABRIEL M.; ANJOS-SANTOS, DANIELLE; PESSACQ, PABLO

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Año: 2025 vol. 97

0001-3765

The Plecoptera taxonomy in Patagonia is well-documented, yet theirdistribution remains poorly understood, hindering comprehensive ecological andbiogeographical studies. This study enhances knowledge of stonefly distribution intwo Patagonian national parks: Nahuel Huapi and Los Alerces. Extensive fieldwork,georeferenced species records, and geographic information system data integrationwere conducted. Species richness was calculated using polygons (0.1° x 0.1° pixels) acrossecoregions, with species indexed from rare to ubiquitous. Cluster analyses revealedfaunal affinities across ecosystem complexes, and richness estimators (Jack1, Jack2, andChao2) highlighted knowledge gaps. Results showed uneven species distribution, withthe highest richness polygon (n = 19) in Los Alerces. The Northern Moist Forests hostedthe most species, followed by the Transitional Cypress-Beech Forests. The rarest specieswere also found in these two complexes, as well as the Ecotone Steppe-Forest. Clusteranalysis revealed strong affinities between the Northern Moist Forests of Nahuel Huapiand Ecotone Steppe-Forest. Richness estimators suggested up to 23 undocumentedspecies. Though much remains to be learned about Plecoptera distribution in Patagonia,this study emphasizes the critical role of national parks in conserving biodiversity andprovides a foundation for future conservation strategies, identifying new taxa records,including southernmost distributions.