Abstract

MEDINA, Ana I.; SCHEIBLER, Erica E.  and  PAGGI, Analía C.. Chironomidae (Diptera) distribution in two fluvial rhitronic systems (Andean and hilly streams), Argentina. Rev. Soc. Entomol. Argent. [online]. 2008, vol.67, n.1-2, pp.69-79. ISSN 0373-5680.

The first records are presented concerning the current status of faunal composition for Chironomidae larvae (Diptera) from two river systems: Mendoza River (Mendoza) and Grande River (San Luis), at the same latitude in the Cuyo region. Distribution patterns were analyzed and larvae assemblage compared with similar rhitronic river systems. In the case of Mendoza River, the subfamily Orthocladiinae exhibited the highest generic richness (5) followed by Podonominae with three genera; whereas the other subfamilies found, composed of: Chironominae (2), Diamesinae (2) and Tanypodinae (1), exhibited the lowest generic densities. In the Grande River, the distribution pattern of subfamilies always showed the highest generic density for Chironominae (11), followed by Tanypodinae (8) and finally Orthocladiinae (5). Differences between these two environments were found among taxonomic groups in generic richness and relative abundance for the Neotropical region. The faunal composition found in the Mendoza River was made up of Patagonian elements and the Grande River was dominated by brasilic elements.

Keywords : Chironomidae; Generic richness; Faunal distribution; Arid-semiarid lotic environments.

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