Abstract

LOCASCIO DE MITROVICH, Cecilia; VILLAGRA DE GAMUNDI, Alcira; JUAREZ, Jorgelina  and  CERAOLO, Mariana. Limnological characteristics and zooplankton in five shallow lakes, Puna - Argentina. Ecología en Bolivia [online]. 2005, vol.40, n.1, pp.10-24. ISSN 1605-2528.

Few studies on the zooplanktonic communities of high-mountain lakes in northwestern Argentina (NOA) have been yet undertaken. In the present work five ponds in the Puna region of Catamarca and Salta (24 - 27° S and 66 - 67° W, 3.250 - 4.400 m) were sampled for qualitative and quantitave zooplankton analysis. The study area presents a rigorous climate, with marked daily temperature fluctuations, frequent winds, scarce rainfall and low xerophylous vegetation. The permanent or semipermanent lakes exhibit water temperatures ranging 11 and 19° C, depths between 0,5 and 1.5 m, conductivity between 612 µS.cm^-1 and >20000 µS cm¹, and pH between 6.3 and 8.6. Zooplankton presented 24 species: 5 rotifers, 12 cladocerans and 7 copepods. The quantitative analysis inferred a community structure with dominant macrozooplankton over microzooplankton, characteristic of lakes where fish are absent. Microzooplankton registered higher abundance of rotifers and scarce nauplii, and macrozooplankton with dominant copepods over cladocerans (mainly chydorids and macrothricids). The high Boeckella biomass were the best available food for flamingo species. Saline shallow lakes showed low species richness and halobiont species (Brachionus plicatilis and Boeckella poopoensis).

Keywords : Zooplankton; Mountain lagoons; Northwestern Argentina.

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