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Life history and emergence patterns of stonefly species in mountainstreams of the Futaleufú basin, Patagonia (Argentina)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 January 2009

M. E.T. Hollmann
Affiliation:
LIESA. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Ecología y Sistemática Animal. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia. Sarmiento 849. 9200 Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
M. L. Miserendino
Affiliation:
LIESA. Laboratorio de Investigaciones en Ecología y Sistemática Animal. Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia. Sarmiento 849. 9200 Esquel, Chubut, Argentina
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Abstract

The temporal dynamics in density, life histories, and emergence patterns were described for the first time for five Plecopteraspecies in tributaries of the Futaleufú River in Patagonia, Argentina. Benthic samples and adult collections were made in five loworder Nothofagus forested streams. Four species of Gripopterygidae; Aubertoperla illiesi, Notoperlopsis femina, Antarctoperlamichaelseni and Senzilloides panguipulli had simple, highly synchronized univoltine life histories. The austroperlid Klapopteryxkuscheli takes more than two years to develop. Emergence periods of most of the species were concentrated in late spring andsummer (October to February), which suggests seasonal and synchronized life histories. Most N. femina adults were collected inmid spring indicating this species emerged first, whereas S. panguipulli emerged last from January to April. Aubertoperla illiesishowed a slightly delayed emergence at the high elevation site (La Hoya Stream) when compared to a piedmont stream,suggesting that temperature was an important control. Although we were unable to describe the life history of Limnoperla jaffueli(Gripopterygidae) its adult emergence period was November to January. Life histories of Plecoptera species in the studiedstreams seem to have a high degree of seasonality at least at this latitude, and are possibly determined by predictable temperaturepatterns and discharge regimes. This first contribution on the life histories of Plecoptera species helps us to better understand thedynamics and functioning of pristine but fragile aquatic environments in Patagonia.

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Type
Research Article
Copyright
© Université Paul Sabatier, 2008

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