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Abstract
A quantitative survey of the aquatic invertebrate community at a salar on the Chilean Altiplano is described. To establish the taxonomic composition and abundance we monitored inter-annual changes in community structure for four consecutive years covering different conditions. The community was composed of 21 taxa, representing 16 families, and was mainly dominated by arthropods. We found a high number of endemic species compared to other freshwater systems despite the low abundances detected. There were statistically significant inter-annual differences in diversity. A canonical correlation indicated that species richness was mainly affected by temperature. We studied this unique system by taking advantage of the “natural laboratory” that it offers. We found a combination of eutrophic conditions with low species diversity at the consumer level. This system invites further research on the community dynamics and microevolutionary aspects of invertebrate populations.
Acknowledgements
The invaluable assistance of the officers and staff of Regimiento Huamachuco is gratefully acknowledged. Dr. Sievert Lorenzen (Zoologisches Institut der Universität Kiel, Germany) collaborated with the identification of the nematoda and M.S. Maritza Mercado (Benthos Lab.) with the identification of the annelida. We thank CONAF and DGA for providing us with useful information. Research in the Salar de Surire is part of an ongoing collaboration between CECS and the Chilean Army. R. Scheihing holds a CONICYT fellowship. R. Nespolo thanks FONDECYT grant No. 1090423. Centro de Estudios Científicos (CECS) is funded by the Chilean Government through the Millennium Science Initiative and the Centers of Excellence Base Financing Program of Conicyt. CECS is also supported by a group of private companies which at present includes Antofagasta Minerals, Arauco, Empresas CMPC, Indura, Naviera Ultragas and Telefónica del Sur.
