Volcanic ash from Puyehue-Cordón Caulle eruptions affects running performance and body condition of Phymaturus lizards in Patagonia, Argentina

IBARGÜENGOYTÍA, NORA; CABEZAS-CARTES, FACUNDO; BORETTO, JORGELINA; PIANTONI, CARLA; KUBISCH, ERIKA; FERNÁNDEZ, MARIELA; LARA-RESENDIZ RAFAEL; MENDEZ DE LA CRUZ, FAUSTO; SCOLARO, ALEJANDRO; SINERVO, BARRY

BIOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY

WILEY-BLACKWELL PUBLISHING, INC

Lugar: Londres; Año: 2016 vol. 118 p. 842 - 851

0024-4066

The Puyehue-Cordón Caulle eruption on June 4, 2011, dispersed about 100 M tons of pyroclastic materials resulting in ash accumulations of 30 cm depth on the Patagonian steppe, an area occupied by several lizard species. Herein we studied effects of ash fall on body condition and running performance on level and on inclined surfaces, of two endemic and vulnerable species whose ranges are restricted to volcanic rock outcrops in Patagonia, Phymaturus excelsus and Phymaturus sinervoi. Locomotion of P. excelsus, adapted to rock and steep outcrops, was the most affected by ash. In contrast, P. sinervoi which lives in mixed habitats with flat rocks and sandy substrates was affected only by the inclined surface rather than by ash, suggesting the two species are well adapted to the habitats they occupy. In spite of environmental impacts of ash deposition on locomotion and hence feeding, reproduction and dispersal activity of P. excelsus, two years after the volcanic event lizards body condition improved. The locality of P. sinervoi was only lightly affected by ash deposition and hence the lizard?s body condition was similar before and after ash fall. We hypothesize that negative effects of ash was counteracted by the pronounced death after the volcano eruption of herbivorous competitors like hares and sheep that feed upon the same flowers and fruits included in the Phymaturus diet.