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Cities in general possess limited areas of original vegetation, or even artificial green areas; this results in drastic modification of faunal communities, with reductions in their original abundance and diversity. Nevertheless, some species are able to thrive in cities, including high trophic level species such as raptors. The object of this study was to characterise the diversity, abundance and reproduction of diurnal and nocturnal raptors in the urban area of a city in southern Chile. Twelve species of raptor were recorded, seven diurnal and five nocturnal. The species recorded most frequently were Coragyps atratus and Glaucidium nanum; the least frequent species were Parabuteo unicinctus and Elanus leucurus. Eighteen nesting sites were recorded of six species of diurnal and nocturnal raptors: Falco sparverius, Milvago chimango, G. nanum, Strix rufipes, Tyto alba and Athene cunicularia. This is a good sample of the diversity of raptor species which reside permanently in urban areas.

The freshwater crab Aegla expansa Jara, 1992 (Aeglidae) is endemic to Chile and has a geographical distribution restricted to one stream in the locality of Hualqui (37°S), Concepción Province, Chile. A chromosome number is here described for somatic cells of A. expansa. The chromosomes are large in number and small in size (μm). These cytogenetic data are the first reported for a species of the genus Aegla.

Diversity of rodents were compared in a priority site of conservation in southern-central Chile through two seasons (winter and spring). Through the use of Sherman traps, the richness and abundance of species present in both the priority site (native forest) and its adjacent habitat (commercial plantation of Eucalyptus globulus) was assessed. There were significant differences in terms of diversity between both habitats, the composition was significant only for the case of the native forest; however, the seasonal effect was only significant in this same habitat. The ecological aspects linked in this pattern are discussed, which involved both the particularities of the recorded species and the microhabitat.

The Atacama is the world’s driest desert. It contains various types of wetlands. In general, the diversity and structure of the zooplankton in these wetlands have been very little studied. The object of the present study was to analyse the specific composition and structure of the zooplankton in a transect which included highland bogs and an endorheic mountain river in the Altiplano of northern Chile. In 2017, samples of zooplankton were collected for qualitative and quantitative analysis in two types of wetlands. Eight taxa of zooplanktonic crustaceans were recorded. The results of null models revealed the absence of regulator patterns for all sites in species co-occurrence. Cluster analysis generated two groups with low similarity between them. The results observed in the correlation matrix showed significant direct associations between some species and the level of dissolved oxygen, conductivity and salinity.

Geranoaetus polyosoma (Quoy & Gaimard, 1824) is a diurnal raptor widely distributed in South America. Although the trophic ecology of this bird has been more studied in the southern extreme of its range, little information is available on its dietary response to prey supply in desert environments. In the present study, we report on the trophic ecology of G. polyosoma in a sub-urban desert zone in northern Chile, with the following objectives: (1) to quantitatively describe its diet and (2) to determine its dietary selectivity in response to prey supply in the study area. The diet of G. polyosoma consisted mainly of rodents (97.2%). A greater preference (p < 0.05) was observed for the following large prey items (> 19.5 g): two native rodent species, Phyllotis xanthopygus (Waterhouse, 1837) and Eligmodontia puerulus (Philippi, 1896); and two introduced rodent species: Rattus rattus (Linnaeus, 1769) and R. norvegicus (Berkenhout, 1769).

Conspecific broadcasts are effective to increase detection of owls. To determine the most appropriate time of the year to survey owls, we played conspecific owl vocalisations monthly in a temperate...

Landscape is the setting for human activity, and any artificial action affects its perception. The processes that generate losses of landscape are the increase in urban areas and in productive infrastructures and services; the change in use of rural land to monoculture and the increase in anthropogenic structures in the rural landscape. This has led to an increased and rapid deterioration of landscape quality with the loss of landscapes of high aesthetic value, loss of landscape wealth; loss of naturalness when replacing the native plant cover and the loss of archetypal landscapes, robbing local identity. We must advance to landscape policies that include actions such as the compilation of landscape catalogues, monitoring and restoration programmes, as well as a vigorous environmental education programme aimed at conservation and recovery of the landscape. Resumo A paisagem é o cenário para as atividades humanas e qualquer ação artificial afeta sua percepção. Os processos que geram perdas de paisagem estão aumentando em áreas urbanas e infraestrutura produtiva e serviços; a mudança de uso da terra rural em direção a monocultura e aumento de estruturas humanas no campo. Isto resultou em uma deterioração cada vez mais rápida de paisagens de perda de qualidade de paisagems de elevado valor estético, perda de paisagem diversa; perda de naturalidade para substituir a cobertura de vegetação nativa e perda de paisagens arquetípicas com desapropriação da identidade local. É preciso desenvolver políticas que incluem ações como construção catálogos de paisagem, programas de monitorização e de restauração além de um vigoroso programa de educação ambiental que visa a conservação e recuperação da paisagem. Resumen El paisaje es el escenario de la actividad humana y cualquier acción artificial repercute en su percepción. Los procesos que generan pérdidas de paisaje son el incremento de las zonas urbanas y de infraestructuras productivas y de servicios; los cambio del uso del suelo rural hacia el monocultivo y el incremento de estructuras antrópicas en el paisaje rural. Esto ha implicado un creciente y rápido deterioro de la calidad paisajística con pérdida de paisajes de valor estético alto, pérdida de riqueza paisajística; pérdida de naturalidad al sustituir la cubierta vegetal nativa y pérdida de paisajes arquetípicos, con despojo de la identidad local. Se debe avanzar a políticas de paisaje que incluyan acciones como construcción de catálogos de paisaje, programas de monitoreo y restauración, así como un vigoroso programa de educación ambiental orientado a la conservación y recuperación del paisaje.

The aim of this study was to understand the level of knowledge and the perceptions of a local population with a high indigenous component (38.5%) towards birds of prey in order to address wildlife conservation strategies. We determined knowledge of birds of prey and biological control of rodent pests by applying a closed questionnaire; and perceptions of these species by applying a perception survey. Our study subjects were rural and urban residents in southern Chile. The results indicate low levels of knowledge about birds of prey and mainly positive perceptions, despite the presence of superstitions about raptors. These findings show the importance of socio-cultural dimensions and their implications for environmental education - which should be oriented towards changing attitudes to target species and particularly belief systems which determine attitudes. These changes are very important for raptor conservation programmes and reliance on raptors for the biological control of rodent pests.

Bubo magellanicus is a nocturnal raptor with a wide distribution in the southern cone of South America. The diet of B. magellanicus in central Chile was analysed, using the pellet analysis method. ...

Raptors are important predators of various species of small mammals, which renders them of economic importance since their prey may be either disease vectors or reservoirs which represent health problems, or economically important through the damage they cause to crops and stocks. The long-tailed rice rat Oligoryzomys longicaudatus is a reservoir and vector of Hantavirus, a disease of increasing importance in various Latin American countries. The nocturnal Barn Owl (Tyto alba) and the diurnal White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus) appear to be the most significant predators of this species. Here, we characterize the diet of these two raptors and analyze their trophic specialization and dietary selectivity using published information, pellet analysis, and field abundances of small mammals. Both raptor species positively selected O. longicaudatus in their diets to suggest that they could be potential controllers of the Hantavirus reservoir in Chile, both in natural and agricultural ecosystems. Predati...

Urbanisation is a dominant demographic trend and an important component of the earth’s global transformation. It has unprecedented socioeconomic, cultural and environmental implications, and poses a threat to the conservation of biodiversity, as it can provoke alterations in ecological systems and lead to poor functioning of urban systems as they are currently structured. From the ecological point of view, the city is a fragmented, heterogeneous, complex mosaic of habitats, including ecosystems with different degrees of alteration. Urban systems contain only small areas of fragments of original vegetation and/or artificial green spaces, leading to a drastic decrease from their original abundance and diversity. However, green spaces, including original fragments, can help to conserve bird diversity, improving the functioning of these artificial systems in the medium term. This study looks at the characteristics and benefits of urban ecology in the framework of sustainable development, and carries out a meta-analysis of research into bird diversity in four cities in southern Chile, using ecological indices (Shannon-Wiener, β diversity between cities). The results reveal that there is low evenness in the four cities and that the city with the highest evenness is Valdivia (J = 0.78). There is clear dominance by a few bird species (e.g. the exotic species house sparrow Passer domesticus and rock pigeon Columba livia, and the native species rufous-collared sparrow Zonotricia capensis, austral thrush Turdus falklandii, southern lapwing Vanellus chilensis, and chimango caracara Milvago chimango). β diversity is low as the four cities show similarity greater than 50%. Birds reject paved surfaces in squares and prefer areas with native bushes and trees, with nearby bodies of water and large spaces (parks rather than squares). The study proposes technical recommendations and suggests further research.

Background Urbanisation is a dominant geographical trend and an important component of global change, with unprecedented implications for socio-economic, cultural and environmental characteristics. However, green areas, including original fragments, can help to conserve native diversity, improving the functioning of these artificial systems in the long term. Urban areas can still provide habitats usable by wild birds, however the structural characteristics of the habitat formed by different types of green area differ, and therefore dissimilar bird diversities are to be expected. The object of this study was to characterise the α and β diversities of birds in different green areas and to analyse how diversity relates to ten variables that characterise the habitat. Methods We studied the green areas in the city of Temuco, southern Chile (Park, Square and Median strips of main streets), evaluating the variables: (a) surface area, (b) vegetation, (c) estimated human impact as the proportions of vegetation and bare soil by area, and the vehicle traffic. The bird assemblage structures were characterised by α (intra-environment) diversity and β diversity (between environments) and the statistical analysis identified the environmental variables related with the presence and abundance of birds. A statistical model was constructed to describe the contribution of the variables to bird diversity. Results We found significant differences between the diversity of bird species in the three types of green area. The β showed medium to high similarity between the different study units. There was a negative correlation with bare soil areas; the correlations with vehicle flow, plant structure and tree and shrub cover were not significant, meaning that these variables did not explain the variation in the richness of bird species between the green areas. However the surface area did explain this variation presenting a positive potential relation. There was also a high correlation with the origin (native) of shrub species. Conclusions The bird diversity varied significantly according to the type of urban green area. The environmental variables presenting significant correlations with bird diversity were: surface area, native species of shrub stratum, shrub cover, and bare soil area. The best multiple regression model showed that the three most important variables for bird diversity are the surface area of the green area, the cover of the shrub stratum and the presence of native shrub species.

espanolRESUMEN La puna es un ecosistema ubicado en la meseta del desierto por encima de 3.500 msnm en la Cordillera de los Andes que cubre partes del noreste de Chile, el noroeste de Argentina, el sureste de Peru y el medio oeste de Bolivia, entre los 15 ° y 28 ° sur. Laguna Lejia es un lago poco profundo situado en una cuenca endorreica, con un clima de gran altura de estepa, con grandes variaciones de temperaturas. Las precipitaciones se concentran en el verano; la evaporacion es muy alta y la humedad relativa del medio ambiente es muy baja. El objetivo de este estudio fue caracterizar la flora y las asociaciones vegetacionales presentes en este ecosistema arido. Se realizo una recoleccion intensiva en 2008, con los siguientes productos: (a) un catalogo de flora, de origen fitogeografico, formas de vida, endemismo y estado de conservacion; (b) un catalogo fitosociologico, y la caracterizacion de las comunidades de plantas con su diversidad alfa y beta. Se registraron treinta especies de plantas vasculares, todas nativas. Se identificaron dos asociaciones vegetales: Pappostipa-Deyeuxia (matorral alto andino) y Puccinellia-Calandrinia; que corresponden respectivamente a la estepa subdesertico de la puna de Atacama; y la vegetacion azonal esta asociada con el humedal Laguna Lejia. Los resultados justifican la designacion del area como un sitio prioritario para la conservacion de la biodiversidad. EnglishABSTRACT The puna is an ecosystem located in the desert plateau above 3500 m elevation in the Andes Range that covers parts of north- eastern Chile, north-western Argentina, south-eastern Peru and mid-western Bolivia between 15° and 28° S latitude. Laguna Lejia is a shallow lake set in an endorheic basin, with high altitude steppe climate type, low temperatures and wide diurnal variation. Precipitation is concentrated in the summer; evaporation is very high and the relative humidity of the environment very low. The object of this study was to characterise the flora and plant associations present in this high, arid ecosystem. Intensive collecting and surveying was carried out in 2008, with the following products: (a) a catalogue of flora, including phytogeographic origin, life form, endemism and conservation state; (b) a phytosociological catalogue, and the characterization of the plant communities with their alpha and beta diversity. Thirty species of vascular plants were recorded, all native. Two plant associations were identified: Pappostipa-Deyeuxia (high Andean scrub) and Puccinellia-Calandrinia, corresponding respectively to the sub-desert steppe of the Atacama puna and the azonal vegetation associated with the Laguna Lejia wetland. The results justify the designation of the area as a priority conservation site for biodiversity by the government.

The Atacama “puna” (high-altitude plateau) is situated among the high peaks of the Andes at over 4000 m a.s.l. This ecosystem covers parts of north-eastern Chile, north-western Argentina, south-eastern Peru, and mid-western Bolivia. The puna brings together several types of wetlands, such as salt-flats, lakes, rivers, high marshes, and highland bogs. Highland bogs are peatlands associated with endorheic basins. The object of this study was to analyse the specific composition and structure of the zooplankton of the bogs of the Putana River, on the Altiplano of northern Chile. In 2012, zooplankton samples were taken for qualitative and quantitative analysis at nine stations of the bog. Nine taxa of zooplanktonic crustaceans were recorded. The species richness is higher than records in other high Andean wetland at a similar altitude, although the species found have been reported for other high Andean wetlands and Andean lakes in Chile and from neighbouring countries.

The suitability of Mazzaella laminarioides and Sarcothalia crispata as heavy metal biomonitors of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn was assessed by comparing bioaccumulation of these elements in different life stages and frond sizes in samples from three locations, San Vicente Bay (industrial area), Coliumo, and Quidico (the latter as a reference station), where different degrees of heavy metal pollution are recorded. Bioaccumulation and bioconcentration factors of Cd, Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn were evaluated. The two macroalgae species showed similar patterns, with higher values of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in polluted areas. M. laminarioides bioaccumulated higher concentrations of all metals assessed than S. crispata, independent of life stage and frond size. The results also showed significantly higher Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn concentrations (p

The South American grey fox Lycalopex griseus is a canid widely distributed in southern South America; however, some aspects of its biology are still poorly known. We studied the diet and density of L. griseus in the Lago Penuelas Biosphere Reserve, in Central Chile. The trophic niche breadth was B = 6.16 (B-sta = 0.47) and prey diversity was H = 2.46 (H-max' = 3.17, J' = 0.78). The highest proportions of prey consumed in the diet were Oryctolagus cuniculus (52.21%) and other mammals (32.78%). We compared these results with a latitudinal gradient of diet results for this species in Chile. L. griseus eats mostly mammals (>90% of total prey), consuming the rodent Phyllotis darwini and reptiles in the northern zone; Oryctolagus cuniculus, Octodon degus and Abrocoma bennetti in the central zone; Abrothrix spp. and lagomorphs in the southern zone; and Lepus capensis and Ovis aries in the austral zone. The estimated density of L. griseus in Lago Penuelas NR was 1.3 foxes/km(2)

Usually a wetland is presented as a heterogeneous complex, such that any analysis of its aquatic bird diversity should compare different levels (α and β) with the γ diversity of the landscape. Habitat heterogeneity may affect the structure and composition of these species assemblages, yet this subject has been little studied in Chile. The objective of this work was therefore to characterize aquatic bird assemblages in a southern Chile wetland. A series of counts was made for each wetland type present in the complex to characterize bird assemblage structure using α and β diversity, abundance of species and density. The α diversity was significantly different among the four types of wetlands studied. Seasonal and spatial variations in the diversity, abundance and density of wetland types were analysed and compared with the expected γ diversity. The β diversity of the Lanalhue complex represents > 20% of the γ diversity.

The inland water bodies of northern Chilean Patagonia (38-41°S) have many lakes, wetlands and ponds with different littoral and zooplanktonic crustacean assemblages. This study presents field observations of species associations sampled from shallow wetlands located in the urban zones of Valdivia (39°S) and Puerto Montt (41°S). A species presence-absence matrix was created for calculating the Jaccard Index of community similarity and for testing null models of species associations, with the aim of determining whether species associations are random or not. The results of the Jaccard Index calculations indicated the existence of non-defined groups. The results of the null model analysis denoted the presence of regulating factors for Valdivia wetlands, whereas for Puerto Montt wetlands no such factors could be demonstrated. The outcomes of both the Jaccard Index and the significant null model analysis agree with previous ecological descriptions of changes in trophic status as a consequence of changes in the surrounding basin as a determinant of species associations. The ecology of these communities is also discussed.

Located in the Atacama desert of northern Chile, Pampa del Tamarugal is a hyperarid ecosystem characterized by extreme arid conditions ( Prosopis tamarugo . These unfavorable environmental conditions can affect the quantity and diversity of prey available for carnivores, making Pampa del Tamarugal an interesting environmental scenario for the study of the trophic ecology of raptors. Our analyses of the seasonal diet of the burrowing owl Athene cunicularia (Molina, 1782) indicate that insects and scorpions were the most common prey (58.3% and 27.5%, respectively). However, the rodent Phyllotis darwini was the most important prey in biomass (49.5%). Significant differences were observed in diverse trophic statisticians between summer and winter seasons. Unlike similar studies carried out in arid areas of South America and North America, we observe that the diet of the burrowing owl in Pampa del Tamarugal shows a higher trophic niche breadth and trophic diversity, but a lower species-prey richness.

El paisaje es un patrimonio ambiental que incluye valores culturales y naturales, un recurso que representa la fisonomía de un espacio y refleja su naturaleza e historia. Por otro lado este recurso patrimonial se debe valorar y gestionar racionalmente, más aún cuando existe una demanda creciente por espacios de alto valor paisajístico para realizar actividades ecoturísticas. Respecto al estudio del paisaje visual, como elemento mesurable, no fue considerado hasta mediados del siglo XX y se ha avanzado en la valoración de la calidad, de la fragilidad y su capacidad de uso como valoración directa del paisaje. Sin embargo está pendiente el análisis indirecto que incluye sus características visuales básicas tales como línea, color, textura, configuración espacial y relieve, así como sus componentes, tanto primarios como secundarios. Por esto, el objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el paisaje visual (análisis directo) del río Cruces y terrenos colindantes, su fragilidad y capacidad de uso, analizando la relación entre la valoración de esos paisajes con sus características visuales y componentes primarios (análisis indirecto). La calidad visual del paisaje se evaluó mediante un método mixto con valoración directa de subjetividad representativa y análisis posterior indirecto de sus componentes, empleando un panel de evaluadores estandarizados. También se determinó la fragilidad de los paisajes, que con la calidad visual se integró en un SIGque permitió generar categorías de uso del paisaje en el área de estudio. El valor promedio (± DE) de calidad fue de VP =16.86 ± 1.99. Los usos recomendados están en la categoría 3 (calidad de paisaje alta y fragilidad baja) para turismo y recreación en un 86.1 % del área en estudio. Para el análisis indirecto se identificó, en cada paisaje sus características visuales básicas (línea, color y textura) y sus componentes primarios, analizándose su relación con la calidad visual. La valoración de los paisajes se relacionan más fuertemente con las características de la línea y de la textura como grano y densidad y su valoración es dependiente de su componente primario, los de VP alto se relacionan con cortina densa de Salix spp. con vegetación palustre y paisajes con vegetación boscosa.

Rodents have a high impact on human activities, producing economical losses and diseases. One of these diseases is Hantavirus syndrome, whose reservoir is Oligoryzomys longicaudatus. Raptors are the natural biological controllers of rodents, being, therefore, our efficient and effective allies. Despite the existing legal dispositions for protection, 11 of the 33 species of raptors in Chile have conservation problems. We evaluated the effectiveness of nest boxes for Tyto alba, as a way to increase its population and propose a procedure for the biological control of O. longicaudatus. The study area was the National Reserve Lago Penuelas, Valparaiso, Chile. The variation of population density before and after the installation of the nest boxes was established both for T. alba and rodents. The results show that the nest boxes installed dramatically increased the population and the total density of T. alba, and a significant reduction of the abundance of small mammals was stated. We propose a methodological diagram for the biological control of the reservoir of the Hantavirus, which we have been implementing since 2001.

The Austral Pygmy Owl (Glaucidium nana) is usually recorded as actively calling and foraging during daylight. We studied the diurnal activity of the Austral Pygmy Owl over 1 year in Cerro Nielol Natural Monument in southern Chile totaling 339 hrs of observation. The most intense activity was recorded at mid-morning between 0900 to 1200 hrs when conspicuous perching and foraging attempts were observed. Vocalizations showed a pattern associated with the reproductive season. The contact pair call was most used throughout the year (54%), slightly less than the territorial call (46%).

Knowledge of trophic ecology is fundamental for understanding feeding strategies and niche dynamics, which can provide information on the vulnerability and conservation status of some poorly known species, such as Liolaemus monticola, a rock-dwelling lizard endemic to the central Andes of Chile. We studied its trophic ecology, analysing its diet and the availability of prey during three activity seasons (summer, autumn and spring). The results show that L. monticola is insectivorous, preying on epigean arthropods. The most frequent prey is formicid ants, on which it feeds in a greater proportion than that at which they occur in the environment. The annual diet is less variable than the seasonal fluctuations in the abundance of prey in the environment. We conclude that L. monticola is a trophic specialist with a preference for the ants Camponotus morosus, Araucomyrmex hypocritus and Brachymyrmex giardii. This diet presupposes an equilibrium between the relative toxicity of the ants, the energy cost of dealing with the prey and detoxification.

En Chile la educación ambiental se ha desarrollado en forma lenta y por caminos no vinculados desde tres actores relevantes: el estado, las universidades, y los organismos no gubernamentales. El bajo interés por su promoción parece deberse al paradigma posmodernista que está permeando una parte de la sociedad chilena y al modelo de desarrollo impuesto que relega lo ambiental a un rol secundario. Las prácticas sociales están cambiando, lo cual es una oportunidad para un encuentro entre estos tres actores en pos de promover una educación profesional y adaptada a este cambio de paradigma con ciudadanos más protagónicos que, sin desaprovechar valores modernos, encaucen la crítica postmoderna. Progress in environmental education in Chile has been slow and uncoordinated. The three main actors involved are the State, the universities and non-governmental organisations. The lack of interest in promoting it appears to be due to the post-modernist paradigm which permeates a part of Chilean society, and the dominant development model which relegates environmental matters to a secondary status. The present is a time of changes in social practices, and therefore an opportunity for these three actors to come together to promote professional education which matches this paradigm shift towards citizens who assume a more protagonic role and channel post-modern criticism without abandoning modern values. A educação ambiental no Chile desenvolve u caminhos lentamente e sem relação de três partes diferentes: o Estado, universidades e organizações não governamentais. O baixo interesse na sua promoção parece resultar do paradigma pós-moderno, que está permeando uma parte da sociedade chilena e do modelo de desenvolvimento que relega o imposto ambiental a um papel secundário. O presente é um tempo de mudanças nas práticas sociais e uma oportunidade para que, portanto, esses três atores a se unirem para promover a educação profissional, que corresponde a esta mudança de paradigma para os cidadãos que assumem um papel de canal mais protagonic e crítica pós-moderna sem abandonar valores modernos.

Small mammals were studied in two southern Chilean temperate rainforests in the precor-dillean Andes during 2 low-rainfall years following the 1982 El Nino event. Forests had somewhat different levels of canopy, shrub, and herbaceous cover, and species richness of trees but most of the same plants. Most captures were of four sigmodontine rodents, Akodon olivaceus, Abrothrix longipilis, Abrothrix sanborni , and Oligoryzomys longicaudatus ; five other species and a putative hybrid were recorded. Maximum numbers were in January–July (late summer to winter) and lower numbers in August–December (late winter to early summer). All species had seasonal reproduction in September–April (spring to autumn). A. olivaceus and A. longipilis generally were long-lived, whereas survival rates were low for O. longicaudatus . Responses after the 1982 El Nino were small, and some populations increased during 1984. Populations of A. olivaceus fluctuated more than those of A. longipilis ; those of A. sanborni were low and O. longicaudatus was sporadic and irruptive. Lower-elevational Chilean and precordilleran Argentine forests have similar species composition, but differences in demography and dominance of the former by more widespread, omnivorous A. olivaceus , animalivorous-fungivorous Abrothrix , and granivorous O. longicaudatus . Opportunities for immigration may explain greater homogeneity of populations of small mammals in Chilean rainforests relative to Argentine ones. Although responses to El Nino and subsequent droughts were weak, flowering episodes of bamboo ( Chusquea ) can have strong effects due to increased availability of food.

Spore retention by the digestive tract of mycophagous rodents may affect the temporal and spatial dynamics of spore dispersal; rodents may also benefit from consuming a discrete resource rich in minerals and vitamins. Some research suggests that hypogeous fungi are not a nutritionally high-quality food item for small rodents, regardless of being highly consumed by these small mammals. Fungi may be a valuable dietary item when higher-quality food is in low abundance. However, the extent to which fungi are incorporated into diet will ultimately depend on the physiological capacities of organisms for digesting such a resource. Here we investigate digestibility of fungus compared with insects and young foliage of plants, and we draw inferences about digestive constraints in a forestdwelling, mycophagous, habitat-generalist rodent (Abrothrix longipilis) exploiting different diets. We show that the fruiting bodies of fungi are less digestible than young leaves of plants and insects. The intake of fungus, in gra...

Los ecosistemas mediterráneos de Chile, los únicos en Sudamérica de los cuatro presentes en el mundo, son considerados áreas prioritarias para la conservación, por su alta concentración de especies endémicas y las aceleradas tasas de destrucción del hábitat. Éstos contienen más del 39% de las especies de mamíferos, 47% de las especies endémicas y el 65% de las especies amenazadas del país. Aún así, estos ecosistemas están inadecuadamente representados en el sistema de áreas silvestres protegidas, siendo una de ellas la Reserva Nacional Lago Peñuelas (RNLP) parte de la Reserva de Biosfera La Campana-Peñuelas. La mastofauna de la RNLP esta pobremente documentada. Estudiamos la diversidad α y β en el ensamble de micromamíferos presentes en los tres ambientes de la RNLP (bosque esclerófilo, matorral mixto y sabana de Acacia caven). Instalamos grillas de trampas Sherman, recolectamos y analizamos egagrópilas de dos especies de aves rapaces (Tyto alba y Bubo magellanicus) y registramos huellas, signos y observación directa en las cuatro estaciones del año 2001. Determinamos la riqueza de especies (S), abundancia relativa, diversidad a considerando su riqueza y estructura (índices de Shannon y Wiener y de Pielou), diversidad β (índice de Bray-Curtis) y comparamos la diversidad encontrada con lo documentado en la misma latitud de este a oeste. Registramos un total de 16 especies: Thylamys elegans, Oligoryzomys longicaudatus, Abrothrix longipilis, A. olivaceus, Chelemys megalonyx, Phyllotis darwini, Myocastor coypus, Octodon degus, O. lunatus, Spalacopus cyanus, Abrocoma bennetti, Rattus norvegicus, R. rattus, Mus musculus, Lepus capensis y Oryctolagus cuniculus. El bosque esclerófilo costero fue el más diverso con distribución homogénea de sus especies, seguido del matorral mixto y fnalmente la sabana de A caven. Por otro lado el bosque esclerófilo es similar al matorral mixto y ambos a su vez muy disímiles de la sabana de A caven. La diversidad registrada en el área de estudio es concordante con la correspondiente a otras áreas mediterráneas de Chile. Se discute la situación de estos ecosistemas y se contrasta la diversidad documentada para seis localidades a la misma latitud.

La Reserva Nacional Lago Penuelas es una unidad del Sistema Nacional de Areas Silvestres Protegidas del Estado ubicada en la Region de Valparaiso, Chile. Esta unidad, junto al Parque Nacional La Campana, constituye una Reserva de la Biosfera. Se estudio la flora y vegetacion de esta Reserva Nacional. El estudio registro 163 especies de plantas vasculares, de las cuales 48 son nuevos registros a la documentacion previa. Al considerar los estudios y reportes realizados en el lugar, la riqueza floristica alcanza a 337 especies, de las cuales 72% es de origen nativo, distribuidas en ocho pteridofitos, dos gimnospermas, 229 dicotiledoneas y 98 monocotiledoneas, lo que representa una alta riqueza floristica. Sin embargo, la mayor proporcion de plantas aloctonas indica tambien un fuerte grado de perturbacion antropica. Catorce especies presentan problemas de conservacion (dos en peligro de extincion, 11 vulnerables y una insuficientemente conocida). La fitosociologia total del lugar reporta la presencia de 20 comunidades vegetales, de las cuales 10 son herbaceas, siete de matorral y tres arboreas; de estas, 12 ya habian sido descritas en trabajos anteriores, agregando el presente estudio ocho asociaciones nuevas para el lugar. Se propone mantener como areas restringidas de esta reserva, el sector Los Lirios, que contiene la mayor parte de las especies amenazadas, y el sector Vega del Alamo por la valiosa condicion de relicto del bosque higrofilo alli presente.

El proceso de transformación del paisaje ha sido más intenso y vasto en la depresión intermedia del centro y sur de Chile que en las zonas cordilleranas aledañas. En dicha depresión el bosque nativo original prácticamente ha desaparecido y en el sur de Chile ha permanecido fragmentado e inserto en una matriz de agroecosistemas. Esto puede influir en la distribución de los mamíferos carnívoros, según sean especialistas o generalistas de habitat, así como del tamaño de su ámbito de hogar. En este contexto el objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar, mediante el estudio de la distribución de fecas, la selección de habitat del ensamble de carnívoros en un ambiente fragmentado en el sur de Chile. Documentamos el uso selectivo de Puma concolor, Galictis cuja y Lycalopex griseus de las plantaciones forestales exóticas con matorrales. Leopardus guigna, a pesar de no mostrar una selección estadísticamente significativa por el bosque nativo, presenta mayor número de registros en dicho habitat. La selección de habitat de los depredadores estudiados muestra un grado variable de uso de los ambientes intervenidos y fragmentados. En las plantaciones forestales circundantes existe un sotobosque de vegetación nativa que se adecúa a los requerimientos de la mayoría de los carnívoros. Se discuten la superposición espacial y la adecuación a nuevos ambientes. The process of landscape transformation has been more intense and extended in the central depression of central and southern Chile than in the nearby mountain ranges. The original forest cover has almost disappeared; only small fragments persist inserted into a matrix of agroecosystems. This situation may influence the distribution of carnivorous mammals, depending on their degree of habitat specialization and home range size. The goal of this study was to evaluate, through the study of feces dsitribution, the habitat selection of the carnivore assemblage in a fragmented environment in southern Chile. We document the selective use of exotic forest plantations of Pinus radiata with a scrub understoiy by Puma concolor, Galictis cuja, and Lycalopex griseus. Leopardus guigna, despite not showing a statistically significant selection of the native forest, presents a greater number of records in this type of habitat. Habitat selection by the predators studied shows a variable degree of use of altered and fragmented environments. Surrounding forest plantations present an understoiy of native vegetation, which fits the requirement of most of the carnivores. The levels of spatial overlapping and the adequacy to new environments are discussed.

A study about food habits of chilla (Lycalopex griseus) was done in a sector of the intermediate depression of southern Chile, called Predio Rucamanque, Region de la Araucanía. Faeces were collected through three seasons of the year, identifying their diet composition. Results show a trend towards small mammals followed by birds, and in a lesser ratio, insects.

El riesgo de infección con Hantavirus depende de factores, que determinan una probabilidad de contagio con los reservorios, tales como: (a) la estructura vegetacional y el uso del suelo como un escenario primario, donde los factores específicos de composición, estructura y densidad de la vegetación detallan elementos relacionados con el habitat de los reservorios. (b) La existencia de poblaciones de roedores reservorio. (c) Establecimientos humanos, como disponibilidad y densidad de caminos, áreas habitadas o de presencia humana (e.g., casas, bodegas). Estos tres factores, habitat (probabilidad de ocurrencia del reservorio), roedores seropositivos (peligro de contagio) y humanos (población expuesta), conjugados, proporcionan los elementos de juicio necesarios para establecer el riesgo. Es importante considerar que estos factores tienen una dinámica de cambio estacional durante el año y modificaciones ambientales naturales y antrópicas. Así, buscamos comprender el riesgo a que está sometido el ser humano en el espacio rural. Los modelos espaciales corresponden a representaciones de la realidad observada en un área determinada y condicionada a diversos factores geográficos, topográficos, biológicos, climáticos, etc. El objetivo de este estudio fue establecer sectores potenciales de riesgo al hantavirus en un parque nacional de la IX Región de Chile empleando cartas temáticas de variables ambientales en un Sistema de Información Geográfica para analizar fotografías aéreas mediante fotointerpretación, transferencia, digitalización y manejo de base de datos gráfica y alfanumérica, validada en terreno. La capa vectorial fue "rasterizada" con un tamaño de pixel de 50 m. El mapa de riesgo se construyó utilizando un modelo aditivo de capas mediante el uso del software Model Builder 1.0, extensión de Arc View 3.2. La base del procedimiento fue el proceso de "overlay" aritmético, que sobrepone las capas adicionando los términos de valor de cada variable utilizando la misma de ponderación en cada una de ellas (e.g., uso del suelo, habitat del reservorio, seropositividad del reservorio, casos y asentamientos humanos). Presentamos un mapa de riesgo que señala como principales áreas de riesgo, precisamente donde se emplaza la infraestructura turística principal de este visitado parque