Abstract

LAPRIDA, Cecilia. Recent ostracodes from the pampas, Buenos Aires, Argentina: ecology and paleolimnological implications. Ameghiniana [online]. 2006, vol.43, n.1, pp.181-204. ISSN 1851-8044.

Twenty non-marine ostracod species were collected from the pampas of Buenos Aires Province. Water parameters were analyzed in order to determine what environmental conditions each species prefers and which factor affects their occurrence. Studies suggest that most species prefer waters containing particular salinity and solute types. Marginal estuarine ostracods can only survive in oligo-polihaline Cl-/Na+ dominated waters with dayly fluctuating salinities. Freshwater ostracods living in temporary ponds can only survive in oligohaline HCO3-/Na+ dominated waters. Finally, ostracods inhabiting permanent lakes can live in more than one solute type (Cl-/Na+ or HCO3-/Na+), but these solute type variations must be gradual, related with the balance between evaporation and precipitation. Reproductive modes, trophic level and predation are also taking into account. These conclusions encourage the use of fossil non marine ostracods from the Pampas of Buenos Aires as valuable tools to reconstruct late quaternary paleoclimatic conditions.

Keywords : Recent Ostracoda; Distribution; Ecology; Pampa Deprimida Plains; Argentina.