Abstract Tetragonisca fiebrigi is a stingless bee distributed among Argentine Northside, commonly known as ‘yateí’. The breeding and employment of its products (honey and pollen) it´s called ‘meliponiculture’. The botanic source can influence the pollen loads colour collected by the bees, and this peculiarity allows the procurement of crucial data, which aids in establishing the floral origin without the need for laboratory equipment. The objec tive of this project is to define the relationship between the colour and its floral origin for the development of a regional colour chart, which can benefit the appreciation of the foraged resources by T. fiebrigi. It was borne in mind two sampling sites, The National Park “El impenetrable” (Chaco, Argentina) and the city of Corrientes (Corrientes, Argentina). In both points, it was made a survey related to nest location and the capture of specimens with pollen loads. At the laboratory the loads were separated by colour and, by using conventional melissopalyn ology techniques and virtual palinotheques, it was possible to identify 11 pollen taxa. We found out that 100% of analyzed loads had a monofloral provenance, that favoured us to link these taxa with a chart of 11 colours, proposed in this production. T. fiebrigi forage native plants of each ecoregion, in preference, trees which have pollen with a microreticulate exine. These results allowed us to generate the first colour chart of pollen loads for the Chaco Region.

Resumen Tetragonisca fiebrigi es una abeja sin aguijón distribuida en todo el norte argentino comúnmente conocida como “yateí”. La crianza y el aprovechamiento de sus productos (miel y polen) es denominado meli ponicultura. La fuente botánica puede influir en el color de las cargas polínicas colectadas por las abejas, y esta peculiaridad permite obtener datos cruciales que ayudan a la identificación del origen floral sin la necesidad de equipamiento de laboratorio. Es por ello, que el objetivo de este trabajo es definir la relación del color con el origen floral para la elaboración de una carta de colores regionales, que permita apreciar los recursos acopiados por T. fiebrigi. Se tuvieron en cuenta dos sitios de muestreo, El Parque Nacional El Impenetrable (Chaco, Argentina) y la ciudad de Corrientes (Corrientes, Argentina). En ambos puntos se realizó un revelamiento para la localización de nidos y la captura de ejemplares con cargas polínicas. En el laboratorio, las cargas, fueron separadas por color y, mediante técnicas convencionales de melisopalinología y el uso de palinotecas virtuales, se lograron identificar 11 taxones polínicos. Se observó que, el 100 % de las cargas analizadas tuvieron un origen monofloral, lo que permitió vincular estos taxones a una carta de 11 colores, propuesta en este trabajo. T. fiebrigi pecorea plantas nativas de cada ecorregión, preferentemente árboles cuyo polen presenta exina microrreticulada. Estos resultados permitieron generar la primera carta de colores de cargas polínicas para la Región Chaqueña.

Abstract This study assesses the effect of vegetation structure on the subtropical invertebrate communities in contrasting sampling dates of macrophyte populations in the RAMSAR site of Iberá wetlands, South America. Invertebrates associated with the submersed Egeria najas and the floating rooted Pontederia azurea were chosen to provide a model involving different microhabitat complexity. The results suggest that vegetation structure provided by the two macrophyte species supported significant differences in the density of animals, with invertebrate abundance of E. najas twice as high as on P. azurea. Abundance showed no significant differences in both contrasting sampling dates, growth and decline. Our result clearly showed invertebrates exclusively associated with each macrophyte species, as well different invertebrate taxa dominating in each sampling date (decline: Cladocera; growth: Aphididae, Belostomatidae and Planorbidae). We also show that working at the taxonomic levels of family could be a sensible trade-off between taxonomic identification effort versus reaching reliable and useful results for environmental monitoring and natural resource management in highly diverse subtropical wetlands. Our results emphasize the role of vegetation structure on invertebrate communities, as well suggest that the growth cycle of macrophyte populations could be a relevant variable influencing these animals in pristine subtropical wetlands.

Soil macrofauna from four natural and agricultural ecosystems with different disturbance degrees, located at the Esteros del Ibera ecoregion (Corrientes, Argentina) was analyzed in order to assess the impact of productive activities in this wetland. The diversity, abundance, density and biomass of the main invertebrate groups were determined and the analyzed communities were compared. The modified Conservation and Sustainable Management of Below Ground Biodiversity protocol was applied at four points on each site. The influence of different perturbation factors on the biota was analyzed. Soil macrofauna was composed by 19 invertebrate orders, mainly earthworms and arthropods (termites, ants and beetles were the most abundant). The differences between the analyzed assemblages were referred to taxonomic composition, diversity, order number and density, but they were not statistically significant for the last feature. Most individuals were detected in surface soil layer (0-10 cm) and biomass was higher on pastures although the orders of higher relative biomass were different at each site. On the bases of the similarities in the macrofaunal communities, the analyzed ecosystems formed two groups: cotton crop -forested pasture and natural forest- grazed pasture. Two of the analyzed perturbations (replacement of natural vegetation and soil removal) influenced the soil macrofauna. Ants and worms were identified as potential bioindicators in these assemblages, while subterranean termites were well represented, mainly in the more disturbed sites.

Se analizó la macrofauna del suelo de cuatro ambientes naturales y agroecosistemas localizados en zonas altas de la eco-región Esteros del Iberá (Corrientes, Argentina) con distintos grados de perturbación, a fin de contribuir a evaluar el impacto de las actividades productivas en este humedal. Se determinó la diversidad, abundancia, densidad y biomasa de los principales grupos y se compararon las comunidades analizadas. Se aplicó el protocolo de Conservación y Manejo Sustentable de la Biodiversidad del Suelo modificado, en cuatro puntos en cada sitio. Se analizó la influencia de distintos factores de perturbación sobre la biota. La macrofauna del suelo estuvo integrada por 19 órdenes de invertebrados, principalmente oligoquetos terrestres y artrópodos, entre los cuales las termitas, hormigas y coleópteros fueron los más abundantes. Las diferencias entre los ensambles analizados se evidenciaron en su composición taxonómica, diversidad, número de órdenes y densidad de los grupos más abundantes, pero ellas no fueron estadísticamente significativas para esta última característica. La mayoría de los individuos se detectaron en el estrato superficial del suelo (0-10 cm) y la biomasa fue más elevada en los pastizales aunque los órdenes de mayor biomasa relativa fueron distintos en cada sitio. Las similitudes entre ambientes agruparon por un lado al cultivo de algodón y al pastizal forestado, y por otro al bosque y al pastizal sometido a pastoreo. Dos de las perturbaciones ambientales analizadas (reemplazo de la vegetación natural y remoción del suelo) influyeron sobre las comunidades macroedáficas. Las hormigas y lombrices resultaron posibles invertebrados bioindicadores en estas comunidades, en tanto que las termitas subterráneas resultaron importantes por su diversidad y biomasa, principalmente en los dos ambientes con mayor grado de perturbación.

Se presenta el primer registro de Cryptotermes brevis (Walker, 1853) en la ciudad de Corrientes (Argentina). Se detectaron varias colonias de esta termita dentro de un edificio en contenedores de madera empleados para el transporte de fruta fresca. Los daños observados consistieron en orificios redondos, piezas de madera parcialmente excavadas y presencia de debris fecales. Se discute la importancia de factores climatológicos y del tipo de material de contenedores de fruta, en la colonización y dispersión de C. brevis en esta región de Argentina. Se presentan ilustraciones de soldados y reproductores de C. brevis y un mapa actualizado de la distribución de esta termita en Argentina.

The first record of the West Indian drywood termite Cryptotermes brevis (Walker, 1853) in the city of Corrientes (Argentina) is reported. Several C. brevis colonies were detected inside a local deposit, from wooden crates used for carrying fresh fruits. The observed damage consisted of small rounded holes, partially hollowed wood pieces and presence of debris. The importance of weather factors and the type of material of vegetable and fruit containers in the colonization and dispersion of C. brevis in this region of Argentina are discussed. Illustrations of soldiers and reproductive C. brevis, and an updated map of the distribution of this termite in Argentina are given.

O conhecimento da biodiversidade de insetos em áreas naturais da Argentina é limitado e os cupins estão entre os menos estudados. Para conhecer a diversidade dos Isóptera em algumas áreas protegidas do país, foi feita uma amostragem de cupins em três parques nacionais da região noroeste da Argentina, durante 1995-1999. Os resultados aqui apresentados correspondem ao Chaco National Park (Província de Chaco), Iguassu National Park (Província de Misiones) e Mburucuya National Park (Província de Corrientes). Entre as quatro famílias de cupins registrados na Argentina, a família dos Termitidae foi a mais bem representada nas três áreas. Os gêneros registrados foram: Rugitermes Holmgren e Tauritermes Krishna (Kalotermitidae), Heterotermes Frogatt (Rhinotermitidae), Cornitermes Wasmann, Cortaritermes Mathews, Diversitermes Holmgren, Nasutitermes Dudley, Velocitermes Holmgren (Nasutitermitinae), Amitermes Silvestri, Microcerotermes Silvestri, Neocapritermes Holmgren, Termes Linné (Termitinae), Anoplotermes Muller, Aparatermes Fontes and Ruptitermes Mathews (Apicotermitinae) (Termitidae). Nenhuma das espécies de cupim coletadas foi comum para os três parques e apenas quatro foram coletadas em duas reservas. Devido ao arranjo particular dos cupins, que foi encontrado em cada parque, estas três áreas naturais protegidas podem ser consideradas como importantes reservas para a conservação da fauna de cupins na região noroeste da Argentina.

The knowledge of insect biodiversity in natural areas of Argentina is limited, and termites are among the understudied taxa. In order to assess the diversity of Isoptera in some protected areas of the country, termite sampling within three National Parks of the Northeast region of Argentina was developed during 1995-1999. The results presented in this paper correspond to the Chaco National Park (Province of Chaco), Iguassu National Park (Province of Misiones) and Mburucuya National Park (Province of Corrientes). Among the four termite families recorded from Argentina, the family Termitidae was the best represented at the three sampled areas. The recorded genera (15) were: Rugitermes Holmgren and Tauritermes Krishna (Kalotermitidae), Heterotermes Frogatt (Rhinotermitidae), Cornitermes Wasmann, Cortaritermes Mathews, Diversitermes Holmgren, Nasutitermes Dudley, Velocitermes Holmgren (Nasutitermitinae), Amitermes Silvestri, Microcerotermes Silvestri, Neocapritermes Holmgren, Termes Linné (Termitinae), Anoplotermes Müller, Aparatermes Fontes and Ruptitermes Mathews (Apicotermitinae) (Termitidae). None of the collected termite species was common to the three National Parks, and only four of them were detected at two of the reserves. Due to the particular assemblage of termites found at each park, these three natural protected areas could be considered important reserves for the conservation of the termite fauna from the Northeast region of Argentina.