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Importance of geochemical factors in determining distribution patterns of aquatic invertebrates in mountain streams south of the Atacama Desert, Chile

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Abstract

The ecology of macroinvertebrate communities in arid regions is still poorly understood. Here we examined how the community structure varied at spatial and temporal scales in streams and tributaries of the Huasco River in semi-arid region of Northern Chile. We expected that macroinvertebrate distribution may be responding to natural processes of mineralization described for Chilean semiarid basins. The relationships among biotic and abiotic variables were assessed through multivariate techniques (principal component analysis, non-metric multidimensional scaling, canonical correspondence analysis), and a two-way analysis of similarity was used to evaluate differences between basins and years (2007, 2008, and 2009). Significant differences in community structure and physical–chemical variables between basins (Del Carmen and Del Tránsito) were found, but not between years. Altitude, Mn, Al, Ca, Na, HCO3, and dissolved oxygen were the variables that best accounted for the communities distribution. In particular, high metals concentration in El Transito basin should determine low density and diversity of macroinvertebrates. Chironomidae, Ephydridae, and Glossiphoniidae were associated to waters with high metals content and acidic pH, whereas Baetidae, Hydroptilidae, and Blephariceridae were associated to sites with more favorable physical–chemical conditions. These results contribute to understand the ecological patterns of macroinvertebrates in arid regions and should lead to conservation and monitoring plans for this remote place.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Compañia Minera Nevada for providing logistical and financial support and for sharing chemical data. We would also like to thank Bernardo Broitman, Angeline Bertin, and Nicolas Gougin for their valuable suggestions and contributions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Advanced Studies in Arid Zones (CEAZA), Casilla 599, La Serena, Chile

    Ingrid E. Alvial, Bárbara C. Durán & Francisco A. Squeo

  2. Universidad de La Serena, Benavente 980, La Serena, Chile

    Ingrid E. Alvial, Karine Orth, Bárbara C. Durán, Evelyn Álvarez & Francisco A. Squeo

  3. Institute of Ecology and Biodiversity (IEB), Las Palmeras 3465, Santiago, Chile

    Francisco A. Squeo

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  1. Ingrid E. Alvial
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  2. Karine Orth
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Correspondence to Ingrid E. Alvial.

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Alvial, I.E., Orth, K., Durán, B.C. et al. Importance of geochemical factors in determining distribution patterns of aquatic invertebrates in mountain streams south of the Atacama Desert, Chile. Hydrobiologia 709, 11–25 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10750-012-1395-3

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