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Contribution of non-pollen palynomorphs to the paleolimnological study of a high-altitude Andean lake (Laguna Verde Alta, Venezuela)

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Abstract

This paper evaluates the potential usefulness of non-pollen palynomorphs or NPPs (microfossils other than pollen and spores present in palynological preparations) contained in lake sediments in the paleolimnological reconstruction of high altitude environments (>4,000 m) from the Venezuelan Andes. A synthetic, quantitative approach is employed, instead of the classical analytical and mostly qualitative approach commonly used so far for NPPs. The main sources of variation are the Pediastrum–Botryococcus alternation and the relationship between these two algae and animal remains such as Acari legs, postabdomina of Cladocera, mandibles of other invertebrates, and an unknown type called LVA-1. Other significant microfossils are remains of Rivularia-type and turbellarian oocytes, including Gyratrix. The sequence initiates around 15,000 calibrated years before present (cal BP) with the deglaciation of the lake catchment, high water levels and still cold climates. A phase of lower lake levels was recorded between about 12,000 and 6,000 cal BP. Temperatures increased by around 9,000 and 7,000 cal BP, and then decreased until 6,000 cal BP. Since that time, both lake levels and temperature increased again and stabilized at about 4,000 cal BP, when they reach modern-like values. These results show a good agreement with previous studies based on pollen, diatom and oxygen isotope analyses, and provide additional paleoecological information, as for example the possibility of a previously unrecorded Younger Dryas signal. The inclusion of quantitative NPP analysis in routine paleolimnological studies using synthetic methods is thus recommended. Possible future improvements are suggested, mainly those related with the development and use of NPP modern analogs.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to V. Jankovská for her help in the identification of Pediastrum species, and to B. van Geel and J. N. Haas, whose comments greatly contributed to the improvement of the manuscript . This research has been supported by the US National Science Foundation (Grant ESH ATM-9809472 to Mark Abbott, Univ. of Pittsburgh, USA) and the Ramón y Cajal program of the Spanish Ministry of Education and Science (V. Rull, J. A. López-Sáez).

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  1. Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Facultat de Biociències, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, C1-215/227, Bellaterra, 08193, Barcelona, Spain

    ValentĂ­ Rull

  2. Departamento de Prehistoria, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones CientĂ­ficas, Instituto de Historia, Duque de Medinaceli 6, 28014, Madrid, Spain

    José A. López-Sáez

  3. Departament d’Ecologia, Facultat de Biologia, Universitat de Barcelona, Av. Diagonal 645, 08028, Barcelona, Spain

    Teresa Vegas-VilarrĂşbia

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  1. ValentĂ­ Rull
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  2. José A. López-Sáez
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  3. Teresa Vegas-VilarrĂşbia
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Correspondence to ValentĂ­ Rull.

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Rull, V., López-Sáez, J.A. & Vegas-Vilarrúbia, T. Contribution of non-pollen palynomorphs to the paleolimnological study of a high-altitude Andean lake (Laguna Verde Alta, Venezuela). J Paleolimnol 40, 399–411 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10933-007-9169-z

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