Department Of Arequipa Research Articles

Two new records for the agrostological flora of Peru

The presence of Piptochaetium bicolor (Vahl) É.Desv. and Trichachne californica var. villosissima (Henrard) Wipff & R.B. Shaw are recorded for the first time based upon collections made in the lomas formations of the Department of Arequipa. Piptochaetium bicolor has a recorded distribution as native to Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Uruguay. Trichachne californica has a recorded distribution as native to southwestern US, Mexico, Caribbean, and through South America and its var. villosissima has been recorded previously from Argentina, Bolivia, Caribben, Colombia, Paraguay and Venezuela. Descriptions, photographs and illustrations are presented for each taxon.

Obsidian Procurement and Exchange at the Apogee of Empire: Wari Political Economy in Arequipa, Peru

Abstract During the Middle Horizon (AD 600–1000), obsidian was transported in greater quantities and distances than ever before identified in the Andes, in part by the expansionary Wari state. Two of the three major obsidian sources used in the south-central Andes are located in the modern department of Arequipa, Peru. Arequipa was a region of intense Wari influence and intrusive presence; however, little is known about regional obsidian use. Portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) and laser ablation-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) were used to analyze 383 obsidian artifacts recovered from 10 archaeological sites in Arequipa. Results highlight diachronic and spatial patterning related to obsidian procurement strategies, state versus bottom-up exchange networks, and local participation within the Wari realm. A wide variety of geological obsidian sources, including nonlocal obsidians originating from Wari's Ayacucho heartland, were used. By the late Middle Horizon, the Wari had consolidated regional resources with the sole use of Alca-1 and Alca-4 bedrock obsidians, the largest-sized and highest-quality sources in the area. We assess related models of obsidian procurement and exchange related to state political economy, long-distance caravan activity, and the role of local ceremonial/waystation centers that facilitated the flow of ideas, goods, and people across Arequipa.

Using Electrical Resistivity Tomography Method to Determine the Inner 3D Geometry and the Main Runoff Directions of the Large Active Landslide of Pie de Cuesta in the Vítor Valley (Peru)

Pie de Cuesta is a large landslide with a planar area of 1 km2 located in the Vítor district, in the Arequipa department (Peru), and constitutes an active phenomenon. It belongs to the rotational/translational type, which concerns cases that are very susceptible to reactivation because any change in the water content or removal of the lower part can lead to a new instability. In this context, a previous geological study has been decisive in recognizing the lithologies present and understanding their behavior when they are saturated. But it is also necessary to know the inner “landslide geometry” in order to gusset a geotechnical diagnosis. The present study shows how the deep electrical profiles (ERT, electrical resistivity tomography method), supported by two Vp seismic refraction tomography lines (SVP), have been used to create a 3D cognitive model that would allow the identification of the inner landslide structure: the 3D rupture surface, the volume of the sliding mass infiltration sectors or fractures, and the preferred runoff directions. Moreover, on large landsides, placing the geophysical profiles is a crucial aspect because it greatly depends on the accessibility of the area and the availability of the physical space required. In our case, we need to extend profiles up to 1100 m long in order to obtain data at greater depths since this landslide is approximately 200 m tall. Based on the geophysical results and geologic information, the 3D final model of the inner structure of this landslide is presented. Additionally, the main runoff water directions and the volume of 90.5 Hm3 of the sliding mass are also estimated.

Obsidian in the Valley of Volcanoes, Peru

The Andagua Valley in the Department of Arequipa of southern Peru has only recently seen systematic archaeological investigations, revealing ancient agricultural communities that, despite apparent geographic isolation, were integrated economically with the wider Andean world. Portable x-ray fluorescence analysis of 137 obsidian artifacts recovered from sites in the lower Andagua Valley identifies the transfer of obsidian from Peru’s three largest sources, with > 90% of the analyzed artifacts coming from the Alca-1 source northwest of the valley. In addition to Alca-1 obsidian, small amounts of obsidian from the distant sources of Chivay and Quispisisa appeared in distinct contexts associated with local pre-Inka occupations, corresponding with the Middle Horizon and Late Intermediate Periods (600 – 1000 and 1000 – 1400 Common Era). Obsidian from the Alca-4 and Alca-5 sources, originating on the adjacent plateau, was also transported to Andagua during these periods, possibly continuing under Inka imperial expansion after 1400 CE.Because there is no archaeological evidence of either Wari or Tiwanaku states in the lower Andagua Valley, the probable mechanisms of obsidian transfer include direct or down-the-line exchange between plateau-based camelid pastoralists and valley farmers. Therefore, at least some long-distance obsidian transfers in southern Peru were carried out without direct oversight from Wari or Tiwanaku, though these transfers may have been facilitated by region-scale economic integration during the Middle Horizon and Late Intermediate Period. Tracing the distribution of obsidian in the Andagua Valley highlights both intra-valley and inter-zonal relationships between the Valley of the Volcanoes and specific areas of the high-elevation Andean plateau while illuminating dynamic economic and social connections along the central Andes in the pre-Hispanic past.

Fiber density and hair ducts in the skin of alpacas: Quantification, heritability, and genetic correlations

Alpaca fibers are used to create luxury garments, and simultaneous selection for optimizing fiber density and the density of hair ducts in the skin of alpacas could result in a more profitable product for breeders. The objective of this study was i) to quantify fiber density (FibDen), density of hair ducts (DenDuc), and the relationship between No. of fibers/No. of ducts (Fib/Duc) by age and sex, and ii) to estimate heritability and genetic correlation between FibDen and DenDuc. This study was conducted in the CEDAT (Centro de Desarrollo Alpaquero de Toccra) in the Department of Arequipa, Peru. A total of 1,813 alpacas of different sex and age with pedigree information were analyzed from years 2004–2018. The quantification of FibDen, DenDuc and Fib/Duc was estimated using Fiber-Den equipment in an area of 1 mm2 in the middle rib region of the animal. The average FibDen, DenDuc and Fib/Duc was 24.75 ± 5.48, 7.83 ± 2.17 and 3.25 ± 0.55, respectively. The heritability for FibDen, DenDuc, and Fib/Duc was 0.48 ± 0.04, 0.53 ± 0.04, and 0.20 ± 0.03, respectively. The genetic correlation between FibDen and DenDuc was 0.87 ± 0.06. The estimated heritabilities of these traits in Peruvian alpaca population are moderate to high and indicate that these characteristics could be used as selection criteria in breeding programs.

Water Works: Megaprojects and Timescaling in Peru

ABSTRACT Driven by an increasing industrial and urban demand for water and other economic and political interests, the Peruvian State has invested heavily in water infrastructures. One such infrastructure is the Majes Siguas Special Project in the Department of Arequipa. This megaproject was envisioned already in the early twentieth century to supply the coastland with irrigation water and thereby developing agriculture in this arid region. The first stage of the project was built in the 1970-80’s, but the second stage was not actualised until the 2000s and is still waiting to be built. Based on ethnography from fieldwork in the realm of the megaproject in 2016 and 2017, this article asks what happens when the materialisation of a megaproject is constantly deferred and explores how the promise it entails is sustained over time by analysing the social processes of temporal scale-making.

The fast‐changing climate reality of Arequipa, Peru

AbstractDespite the availability of global and continental climate datasets and climate change information, locally relevant quantification of historic trends in climate variables is still lacking in developing countries, especially at local scales. This is particularly true in the Department of Arequipa, Peru. An arid region with a booming population, substantial mining activities, and large irrigated agriculture, which is highly susceptible to climate change. This study aims to evaluate climate trends from 1988 to 2017 in the Arequipa Department and provide information that can facilitate stakeholders' adaptation to the rapid‐changing climate. The daily precipitation (Prec), and maximum (Tmax) and minimum (Tmin) daily air temperature data used in this study came from the Servicio Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología del Perú (SENAMHI) and the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Global Summary of the Day (GSOD). Data passed through a quality checking process for removal of implausible data, data gap filling, and inhomogeneity detection. The Mann–Kendall test, at a significance level of 0.10, was used to determine trends and the Theil–Sen slope (Sen's slope) was used to estimate the magnitude of the change. Sen's slope was also calculated spatially, using the gridded Arequipa Climate Maps (ACM) dataset. Results indicate that precipitation seasonality has been increasing, as the observed increase in annual precipitation is happening mostly in the rainy season (December–March) and the start and end of the rainy season are delayed. Positive temperature trends were dominant in the whole region. Tmin is increasing more than Tmax, especially at higher altitudes. Exceptions to increasing temperatures were found in areas influenced by irrigation projects that underwent great expansion. The effect of increasing temperature on glaciers was evaluated by mapping the change in the area with average annual temperature below 0°C between the decades of 1988–1997 and 2008–2017, which reduced by 73.2%, with small areas disappearing and larger contiguous areas shrinking.

Distribution extension of Lasiurus arequipae Málaga, Díaz, Arias & Medina, 2020 (Chiroptera, Vespertilionidae) and contributions to its natural history

The recently described bat Lasiurus arequipae Málaga, Díaz, Arias & Medina, 2020 is endemic to Peru. Lasiurus are­quipae is currently known to occur at two localities in the department of Arequipa and one locality in the department of Tacna in southwestern Peru. Here, based on morphological and molecular data, we present a fourth locality that represents the southernmost record of this species and extends its known range 62 km south from the nearest locality in Tacna. Additionally, we provide information some aspects on the natural history and acoustic profile of L. arequipae.

Terrain sensitive climate mapping for the Arequipa Department in Peru

AbstractClimate is a powerful driver of agricultural and natural systems, and spatial climate datasets are currently in great demand. This is especially true in the Arequipa Department of Peru, a region with low seasonal precipitation, remarkable topographic variability, and significant water demand in a highly managed water system. This paper presents the Arequipa Climate Maps (ACM) datasets, a high resolution (1 km) spatial 30‐year (1988–2017) climate dataset for the Arequipa Region, in Peru. Four interpolation methods, and combinations of those methods, were tested to produce 30 years of daily precipitation, maximum and minimum air temperature: Ordinary Kriging (OK), Thin Plate Splines (TPS), Regression Kriging (RK), and Regression Thin Plate Splines (RTPS). The mixed method RTPS‐TPS and RTPS using locally fitted polynomial and potential regressions were found to best represent the spatial variability of precipitation and daily extreme temperatures, respectively, and helped compensate the bias resulting from the lack of weather stations at higher elevations. These methods were then selected to create the ACM dataset, which contains climate maps of 30‐year annual and monthly climate normals (ACM–Normals) and 30 years of annual, monthly, and daily climate maps (ACM–YMD). In addition, insights on weather station gap filling in mountainous areas and bias corrections for avoidance of anomalous precipitation and to assure consistency between annual, monthly and daily data are presented, together with discussion about the quality and limitations of the dataset, and its comparison with other datasets.

Tennantite-(Cu), Cu12As4S13, from Layo, Arequipa Department, Peru: a new addition to the tetrahedrite-group minerals

AbstractTennantite-(Cu), Cu12As4S13, was approved as a new mineral species from the Layo epithermal deposit, Castilla Province, Arequipa Department, Peru, where it occurs as black metallic anhedral grains, up to 0.1 mm across, replacing enargite and associated with chalcopyrite and vinciennite. In reflected light, tennantite-(Cu) is isotropic, grey with a bluish shade. Reflectance data for the four COM wavelengths in air are [λ (nm): R (%)]: 470: 29.1; 546: 28.4; 589: 27.4; and 650: 25.0. Electron microprobe analysis for holotype material gave (in wt.% – average of 10 spot analyses): Cu 49.32(27), Fe 2.20(12), Zn 0.09(2), Sn 0.03(5), As 19.45(43), Sb 1.94(10), Te 0.02(5), S 27.75(43), total 100.80(20). On the basis of (As + Sb + Te) = 4 atoms per formula unit (apfu), the empirical formula of tennantite-(Cu) is (Cu11.27Fe0.57Zn0.02)Σ11.86(As3.77Sb0.23)Σ4.00S12.57. Tennantite-(Cu) is cubic, I$\overline 4$3m, with unit-cell parameters a = 10.1710(10) Å, V = 1052.2(2) Å3 and Z = 2. Its crystal structure was refined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction data to a final R1 = 0.0178 on the basis of 263 unique reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo) and 24 refined parameters. Tennantite-(Cu) is isotypic with other tetrahedrite-group minerals. Previous findings of tennantite-(Cu) are reported and some nomenclature issues, related to the Fe and Cu oxidation states, are discussed. At the Layo epithermal deposit, tennantite-(Cu) is the result of the replacement of enargite under decreasing $f_{{\rm S}_ 2}$ conditions.

Low-cost portable system for measuring thermal conductivity of building

The developed system allows to measure the thermal conductivity of solid materials used as thermal insulators in building bioclimatic houses on high Andean zones. A unidirectional heat flow model through a sample of dimensions 4.0 cm x 4.2 cm x 1.35 cm has been considered. K-type thermocouples were used to measure the temperature’s gradient. The obtained values were: 0.97 Wm−1°C−1 for glass, 0.38 Wm−1°C−1 in the ignimbrite, 0.58 Wm−1°C−1 for the roof brick and 0.34 Wm−1°C−1 in the adobe with Stipa ichu. These materials have been evaluated considering their abundance and use in house building on the Arequipa department high zones.

Geographic distribution and conservation status of Eulychnia ritteri Cullmann (Cactaceae), an endemic cactus from southern Peru

Eulychnia ritteri is endemic to Peru, restricted to the northern coast of the department of Arequipa. The lack of knowledge of this species, and threats such as human activities and climate change, put the populations at risk. In this research, we examined the geographical distribution and conservation status of E. ritteri in the coastal area of the Caravelí province. In addition, the population structure and phenology in the Quebrada Vizcachani population were evaluated using plots of 10x100 m. Data on the accompanying flora and local fauna were also obtained. Eulychnia ritteri showed five populations distributed from 15°43’ to 15°47’S, with a total area of 63.62 ha (0.63 km2). The Quebrada Vizcachani population is the largest (24.5 ha) and the Cementerio population the smallest (0.018 ha). The population density evaluated is 0.06 ind/m2, where seedlings, juveniles, adults, and dead plants were 3.61, 24.09, 56.63 and 15.67% respectively. The phenology was asynchronous, the flower buds, flowers and fruits appear in the same period. The flowers and fruits were food for insects and rodents respectively, and 18 accompanying species have been recorded. Finally, E. ritteri is categorised as endangered (EN), given its geographical distribution and identified threats.

Hostplant and last instar of Amastus walkeri (Rothschild, 1922) from southwestern Peru (Lepidoptera: Erebidae, Arctiinae)

The hostplant, Schinus molle L. (Anacardiaceae) and the last instar of the Arctiinae Amastus walkeri (Rothschild, 1922) are reported for the first time. Several caterpillars with abundant setae and gregarious behavior, were observed feeding on the leaves of Schinus molle L. in the department of Arequipa, southwestern Peru. Ten caterpillars were collected and raised in laboratory condition. Two adults were recovered. According to the external morphology of the adults, they correspond to the species identified as Amastus walkeri (Rothschild).

The Tiwanaku Tradition within the Tambo Valley, Southern Coast of Peru: Interpretation of Burial Contexts from La Pampilla 1

The collapse of the Tiwanaku state around AD 1000 resulted in dramatic changes in the areas of its former colonies such as the Moquegua Valley, which featured the largest Tiwanaku communities outside the Altiplano. The inhabitants of these former colonies were forced to relocate to the areas north of Moquegua, including the Tambo River estuary (Arequipa Department, Province of Islay). This relocation has been confirmed at La Pampilla 1, where a large graveyard featuring funerary contexts of the postcollapse communities of Tiwanaku-Timulaca was found, with a calibrated14C date between the eleventh and thirteenth centuries AD. In this article we discuss the results of excavations and analyses conducted at the La Pampilla 1 graveyard, the first systematically researched Tiwanaku site in the Tambo Valley: these findings confirm the existence of a relatively large, terminal-phase Tiwanaku population, represented by Tumilaca funerary contexts.

Geologic hazards of the Ocoña river valley, Peru and the influence of small-scale mining

The Ocona River Valley, in the Arequipa Department in southern Peru, extends over 150 km from the Pacific coast to its headwaters in the Andes Mountains. While traditionally sparsely populated with farmers and crawfish fishermen, the valley has seen a large population growth in the last 20 years as small gold mines have developed. This change poses the opportunity to evaluate three research questions: How do geologic hazards and risks increase from mining activity? How does unplanned urban development affect risks? How do landforms restrict development and thereby increase risks? The combination of climate, topographic, and hydrologic conditions result in widespread hazards from debris flows, collapsible soils, erosion, rockfall, flooding, and liquefaction. We have developed maps of these hazards for three communities where mines have recently developed, Secocha, Alto Molino, and San Juan de Chorunga, and then we conducted a risk analysis for changing conditions, termed “Risk–Risk” analysis. Because of the lack of vegetation on mountain slopes, mining operations typically only affect rockfall hazards, mostly in the immediate vicinity of the mines and in the nearby runout zones. However, increased population and associated settlement infrastructure is constrained by steep slopes and regularly-flooded valleys, so residents live in fan and terrace areas with substantially increased risks from debris flows and collapsible soils and moderately increased risks from flooding and rockfall.

First documented records of Black-throated Flower-piercer, Diglossa brunneiventris (Lafresnaye, 1846) (Aves, Thraupidae), and Least Tern, Sternula antillarum (Lesson, 1847) (Aves, Laridae), on the southern coast of Peru

We report Black-throated Flower-piercer, Diglossa brunneiventris (Lafresnaye, 1846), and Least Tern, Sternula antillarum (Lesson, 1847), in the Tambo river estuary, Islay province, Arequipa department, Peru. Both species are newly documented from the southern coast of Peru. It is probable that D. brunneiventris has descended from the higher, inland portion of the Tambo river basin to the estuary. Sternula antillarum is considered a frequent visitor to the South American Pacific coast.

Ampliación de la distribución geográfica de Liolaemus nazca Aguilar, Ramírez, Castillo, Mendoza, Vargas & Sites Jr., 2019 (Iguania: Liolaemidae) para el extremo sur de Ica y norte de Arequipa, Perú – Hábitats y conservación

In the present investigation we broaden the geographical distribution of the endemic saurianof the Peruvian desert Liolaemus nazca. Its distribution is extended in approximately 45 kmfrom its type locality (Lomas of the San Fernando National Reserve), reporting it for the firsttime for the department of Arequipa. Also, its distribution of occurrence is widened to otherundocumented localities in San Juan de Marcona (Nasca, Ica) and Lomas (Caraveli, Arequipa)in Peru. These new records, added to those already known, allow us to characterize their habitatsand analyze their state of conservation. These data highlight the importance and ecologicalvalue of the ‘lomas’ of Marcona, a site of interest in the conservation and protection of thebiodiversity it refuge.

Las chullpas incas en las quebradas Ucriamayo Y Tulpaisa, Caylloma, Arequipa

En las inmediaciones de la Unidad Minera (U. M.) Tambomayo se ubican las quebradas de Ucriamayo y Tulpaisa; y asociadas a estas áreas geográficas se registraron mediante la prospección arqueológicas los sitios arqueológicos Gentilmach’ay y Pushkanawasi. La zona se localiza en la parte alta del valle del Colca (área de influencia de la etnia Collagua), en el distrito de Tapay, provincia de Caylloma, departamento de Arequipa. Los sitios corresponden a estructuras chullparias con presencia de material cultural, como fragmentos de cerámica, restos vegetales, textiles, óseo animal y humano. La filiación cultural del material cerámico es inca y se observa la modificación cultural de cráneos. Ambos sitios presentan particularidades que sugiere la existencia de diferencias sociales de los individuos enterrados en los diferentes ambientes. Según las evidencias registradas, se proponen diferentes investigaciones con el material cultural registrado en ambos sitios arqueológicos.

An Endemic and Endangered New Species of the Lizard Liolaemus montanus Group from Southwestern Peru (Iguania: Liolaemidae), with a Key for the Species of the L. reichei Clade.

The southwestern Andes of Peru harbor a hidden taxonomic diversity of reptiles. We describe a new species of Liolaemus Wiegmann (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from xerophytic environments of the southwestern slopes of the Andes of Peru, 2,400-2,900 m asl. The new species, previously considered to be a population of L. insolitus Cei, exhibits unique diagnostic characters of morphology, scalation and color pattern, and molecular evidence that suggest that it belongs in the Liolaemus montanus species group and the L. reichei clade. Moreover, the species is endemic to the eastern slopes of La Caldera batholith in the Department of Arequipa, southern Peru. We also provide information on the conservation status of the species and suggest it be included in the IUCN red list of the threatened species as endangered (EN). A key for the species of the L. reichei clade is provided.

Camelid consumption at the Inca ceremonial site Maucallacta–Pampacolca. Zooarchaeological analysis of the “Basural 2” deposit

AbstractThe site of Maucallacta (Pampacolca district, department of Arequipa, Peru), identified with the Inca oracle of the sacred mountain Coropuna, was probably an important religious centre in this region during the Late Horizon. The zooarchaeological examination, the results of which are presented in this article, covered the finds from the largest deposit containing animal bones discovered in Maucallacta (Basural 2). Although the presence of shell and—probably—bird offerings has been observed, the vast majority of animal remains belong to Andean camelids. The anatomical selection of camelid remains in Maucallacta, as well as numerous traces of cooking and tool marks, corresponding to butchering methods known from ethnographic observations, indicate that the animals were consumed. The article considers the possibility of the ritual nature of this consumption, such as ceremonial feasts, mentioned in written ethnohistorical sources regarding Inca customs.