Characterizing ecoregions in Argentinian Patagonia using extant continental ostracod

CUSMINSKY, GABRIELA; COVIAGA, CORINA; RAMOS, LORENA; PÉREZ A. PATRICIA; SCHWALD, ANTJE; MARKGRAF, VERA; ALPERIN, MARTA

ANAIS DA ACADEMIA BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS.

ACAD BRASILEIRA DE CIENCIAS

Lugar: Rio de Janeiro; Año: 2020

0001-3765

In order to characterize Patagonian (Argentina) ecoregions using non-marine ostracods, their associations26 in 69 environments were assessed. Twenty eight taxa were recorded, including 12 endemic of the27 Neotropical region. Our results indicate that Patagonian ostracods are mainly influenced by electrical28 conductivity (EC), altitude, pH, and temperature; and shows a correlation with Argentinian ecoregions.29 Assemblage I is composed of sites located at high altitude in the Andean Patagonian forest ecoregion.30 Host waters have low temperature, EC and pH, and support as representative species Cypris pubera,31 Eucypris virens, Bradleystrandesia fuscata, Tonacypris lutaria and Amphicypris nobilis. Assemblage II,32 related to mid-altitude environments in the Patagonian Steppe ecoregion, thrived in waters with moderate33 to high EC, and alkaline pH values. Dominant species includes Limnocythere rionegroensis, L.34 patagonica, E. virgata, Riocypris whatleyi, Riocypris sarsi, Newnhamia patagonica, Kapcypridopsis35 megapodus, Ilyocypris ramirezi and Penthesinelula incae. Assemblage III inhabited environments within36 Monte and Espinal ecoregions, situated in the eastern part of the study area at low altitude, EC moderate37 and temperate waters, supporting Heterocypris hyalinus, Amphicypris argentinensis, Sarscypridopsis38 aculeata, Cypridopsis vidua, Herpetocypris intermedia and Chlamidotheca incisa. Our results indicates39 that Argentinian Patagonia hosts a diverse ostracod fauna and highlights their capacity as proxies in40 ecological and palaeoenvironmental studies.