NE Argentina Research Articles

Malvaceous wood from the Late Pleistocene El Palmar Formation of northeastern Argentina

We describe a new species of Bastardiopsis, Bastardiopsis palaeodensiflora sp. nov., which is the first fossil Malvaceae wood reported in Argentina. It was collected from the Arroyo Yuquerí of El Palmar Formation, a late Quaternary fluvial unit, located in the middle Uruguay River Basin, NE Argentina. The diagnostic features of this fossil wood are growth ring boundaries demarcated by marginal parenchyma; diffuse porous wood; vessels solitary and in radial multiples of 2–3 elements; alternate and minute-to-small sized intervessel pits; tyloses abundant; vessel-ray parenchyma pits similar in size and shape to intervessel pits; vasicentric, and diffuse axial parenchyma; rays of two distinct sizes, mostly 4–5 cells wide; prismatic crystals in upright and/or square marginal cells, sheath cells, non-septate fibres, rays and vessel elements irregularly storied. These features suggest an assignation to Bastardiopsis (K. Schumann) Hassler, a genus with five extant species, extending from the north of South America to northern Argentina, mainly distributed in tropical to temperate areas. The eco-anatomical features, the Nearest Living Relatives (NLRs), the Vulnerability Index, the Mesomorphy ratios and the Taxon Independent Approach (TIA) indicate that this fossil grew under temperate-warm and humid conditions. This is consistent with other proxies (geological, sedimentological and microfossil data) suggesting a similar environment for this region during some periods of the Late Pleistocene.

The synorogenic pegmatitic quartz veins of the Guacha Corral Shear zone (Sierra de Comechingones, Argentina): A textural, chemical, isotopic, cathodoluminescence and fluid inclusion study

The quartz veins and pegmatites of the Sierra de Comechingones (Sierras de Córdoba, NE Argentina) belong to the Comechingones Pegmatite field (CPF). For the quartz veins and the zoned pegmatites related parental granites are missing. The country rock of the quartz veins are mylonitic augengneisses in granulite to upper amphibolite facies. Field relations, microscopy, cathodoluminescence, radiometric age data, fluid inclusion, chemical and isotopic composition and literature define the quartz veins as synorogenic formed during the high-temperature phase of the Famatinian (480–460Ma) event. During the Famatinian up to the Achalian (382–366Ma) event the synorogenic quartz veins were subjected to high temperature ductile deformation documented by folding, boudinage and finally brittle shearing. K-Ar ages of illite from the shear zones of about 166Ma document the final cooling of the Sierras Pampeanas below 100°C. The long lasting thermal and deformational history of the study area is reflected by very different populations of fluid inclusions in vein quartz with remarkably high contents of thermogenic hydrocarbons in the early-formed fluid inclusions. LA–ICP–MS analysis reveals very low lattice-bound trace element contents, i.e. high purity quartz.

The Tribe Dysoniini Part V: The group Paraphidniae, with Three New Species from Guatemala and Ecuador (Orthoptera: Tettigoniidae: Phaneropterinae)

Abstract The moss-and-lichen mimic katydids of the group treated here are easily recognized by their long and slender wings held upward at an almost 45-degree angle. They live in rainforests of central and northern South America, with one species ranging southward to subtropical forest in NE Argentina. Here the recently introduced subgenus Anaphidna is raised to genus beside Paraphidnia, and three additional species are described: P. brevicristata n. sp. and P. tunki n. sp. from Ecuador, the latter along with the relatively complex male calling song, as well as A. obrieni n. sp. from Guatemala. P. gallina is redescribed. A key for the three species of Paraphidnia s. str. is included.

Managing the value of composts as organic amendments and fertilizers in sandy soils

Nutrient rich composts are employed at low rates to minimize risks of N and P losses; this limits their value as soil improvers through C addition and the build up of soil organic matter. Blending with nutrient-poor composts such as those from the organic fraction of municipal solid waste could reduce the risks of nutrient losses while maintaining the positive effects on soil organic matter. We conducted a 2-yr experiment with composts of diverse origin: organic fraction of municipal solid waste (MC), cattle feedlot manure (FC), poultry litter (PC) and biosolids (BC), alone or blended (FC-MC, PC-MC) in a sandy soil under the humid warm climatic conditions of NE Argentina. We studied the effects of a single application (40 Mg ha−1) on the surface soil (0–10cm) properties of a permanent subtropical pasture through annual chemical and biological analyses. On five dates, available N and P were also determined at 0–10cm and 55–65cm. Soil total C and N increased over time while potential N mineralization and CO2 emission decreased. All amendments resulted in similar increments of soil C and N despite marked differences in quantity and quality of organic matter inputs. Because MC had substantial amounts of Ca carbonates, it contributed to a reduction of available P from manure composts through dilution and precipitation. The release of available P from biosolids composts (where P is bound to Fe and Al) was lower than from manure composts (where P is bound by Ca phosphates). The highest environmental risk from compost application would likely be the leaching of soluble N produced during the composting process and released immediately after field application. Blending with N-poor MC would contribute to nitrate dilution.

Physical and Microbiological Analysis of Sandstone Deterioration in the Argentine Jesuit Missions

ABSTRACTMainly cyanobacteria, but also algae and fungi, were identified on the Jesuit missions San Ignacio Miní, Loreto, Santa María and Santa Ana, in NE Argentina. Many organisms were deeply pigmented, indicative of stressful conditions. San Ignacio samples of itacurú rock showed higher colonization and biodiversity, related to higher porosity allowing entry of water and nutrients. Sandstone from other locations was arenitous, containing 95% silicates. Physicochemical analyses suggested mobilization of ions, particularly Fe, from within the stone to the surface. This intense deteriorating colonization, together with climatic weathering, transforms the sandstone to a “protosoil,” for growth of bryophytes and higher plants.

On the position of Uruguay in the South American biogeographical puzzle: insights from Ephemeroptera (Insecta)

AbstractAimTo study the relationships between Uruguay and neighbouring geographical areas based on distributions of Ephemeroptera species (mayflies: an ancient order of aquatic insects). We wanted to evaluate whether Uruguay more closely represents (1) the southern limit of the tropical (Paranense and Amazonian) fauna or (2) the northern limit of the temperate (Pampean‐Bonaerense) fauna.LocationSouth America with an emphasis on Uruguay.MethodsWe compiled more than 5000 collection records of mayfly species throughout South America and evaluated these using current taxonomy and geographical validity. We used the Network Analysis Method (NAM) on these data to identify units of co‐occurrence (UCs: mutually exclusive groups of co‐distributed species, with each group connected through strong links of sympatry and disconnected from the others). We focused solely on those UCs that included Uruguay in their spatial ranges and used these to infer the vicinity relationships.ResultsWe recovered four UCs consisting of many species that link Uruguay with tropical areas of Brazil and NE Argentina. These groups followed a geographically nested pattern. The results contradict the previously held view that the Uruguayan fauna holds strong affinities to that of temperate grasslands that lie to the south in central oriental Argentina (i.e. the currently accepted concept of Pampas). A comparison of the genera known from Uruguay and Buenos Aires Province further reinforces the distinction between Uruguay and temperate areas to the south.Main conclusionsThe hypothesis that Uruguay represents the southern limit of tropical affinities is strongly supported by mayfly distributions, indicating that a reappraisal of the Pampas as a cohesive biogeographical province is needed. We suggest that Uruguay and Buenos Aires should belong to different provinces, the former aligned with tropical provinces and the latter aligned with more temperate areas.

Spatial patterns of caddisflies from Austral South America

Trichoptera are relevant members of the freshwater benthos that can exploit a broad variety of habitats. We explored their distribution patterns in Austral South America using a network quantitative approach applied on point occurrence data. The primary goal was to recognize groups of species connected by strong links of sympatry and secondarily to evaluate the structure of the sympatry network (patterns of connectivity) at higher taxonomic levels. We compiled 2,522 geographic points associated with 446 species. The strength of sympatry links were inferred directly from dot maps. Using the taxonomic resolution of species, we identified two major groups of co-occurring species that mimic in a geographic context the classic zoogeographic division of the study area: the Andean–Patagonian complex (of “cold-adapted” organisms) versus the Extra-Andean domain (of “warm-adapted” organisms) spanning the subtropical belt of the region. Within these major divisions, groups of highly co-distributed species were also found which in turn show a variety of overlapping spatial configurations. Overlap was centred at the following pivoting areas: Yungas of NW Argentina, Paranaense forest of NE Argentina and Valdivian temperate forest of Patagonia. Three very interesting findings emerged from the analyses: (i) Sierras Centrales of Córdoba correspond to the southern portion of many subtropical elements occurring in NW Argentina, (ii) some elements fit the disjunction between NW and NE Argentina and (iii) Uruguay is more closely related to NE Argentina than to Buenos Aires, suggesting that the Pampas region (Uruguay + Buenos Aires) could be an ill-defined biogeographic entity. Patterns at the species level become progressively blurred in going upward through the hierarchical classification.

Revision of the genusBulbothrix(Parmeliaceae, Lichenized Ascomycota) in NE Argentina, with a Key to the Species

Abstract Eight species belonging to Bulbothrix Hale from NE Argentina were studied. Among them, Bulbothrix affixa (Hale & Kurok.) Hale is a new continental record, and five species, viz. B. cassa Jungbluth, Marcelli & Elix, B. coronata (Fee) Hale, B. isidiza (Nyl.) Hale, B. laeviuscula (Rasanen) Benatti & Marcelli, and B. tabacina (Mont. & Bosch) Hale, are new citations for the country. The specimens are described, commented, and illustrated. A key for species identification is also presented.

Subsurface geological modeling of Corrientes province (NE Argentina) and its relationships with the Guaraní Aquifer system function

From the integration results of geological and geophysical data, a subsurface geological model of the Corrientes province (Argentina) that allows visualizing its deep geological structure and how it affected the Guaraní Aquifer System (GAS) is presented. 44 boreholes, 21 geophysical surveys and 1366 depth data from a Bouguer gravity anomaly model have been used. The model was built from five layers easily distinguishable in the regional subsurface: basement, pre-GAS sediments (Paleozoic), GAS sediments (Triassic-Lower Cretaceous), basalts (Serra Geral Group, Lower Cretaceous) and post basaltic sediments. The resulting geometry shows a basement with a structural high, the Dorsal Asunción-Rio Grande, where the GAS and the basaltic layer are thinner and the Mesozoic sediments rise near the surface. It is an area prone to local recharge and regional discharge of the GAS and it is in line with the latest piezometry and groundwater chemical analysis. Furthermore, two important depocenters have been identified, Corrientes and Curuzú structural high blocks, with at least 3500 m of sedimentary and volcano-sedimentary deposits that suggest the existence of significant pre-carboniferous sediment units associated to ancient extensional structures of the early Paleozoic. The proposed model allows defining a lithostratigraphic column of Corrientes and gives new criteria to redraw the southwest limit of the GAS.

THE DISTRIBUTION OF WOODY LEGUMES IN NEOTROPICAL DRY FORESTS: THE PLEISTOCENE ARC THEORY 20 YEARS ON*

The Pleistocene Arc Theory (PAT) suggests that present-day disjunct fragments of dry forests in central tropical South America give evidence of a previously more continuous distribution during the Pleistocene that has been disrupted by dry-cold vs. humid-warm climatic cycles. This Arc extends from NE Brazil to NE Argentina and eastern Paraguay, through the Chiquitanía to NW Argentina and SW Bolivia and into the dry inter-Andean valleys in Peru and Ecuador, with intrusions into the Great Chaco. Seasonally Dry Tropical Forests (SDTFs) are floristically and physiognomically dominated by woody legumes, mostly deciduous in the dry season. In the last two decades field collection and research on legume taxa has greatly increased, with a significant number of taxonomic revisions and molecular phylogenetic studies, together with some paleoclimatic modelling studies. The evidence accumulated in the last 23 years has confirmed the integrity of the Chaco and Caatingas phytogeographical provinces, with an impressive and increasing level of botanical endemism discovered. The PAT pattern has also been supported, specifically through the mapping of five selected woody Leguminosae species (Anadenanthera colubrina, Enterolobium contortisiliquum, Pterogyne nitens, Amburana cearensis and Piptadenia viridiflora). The pre-existing nuclei of South American SDTF (Caatingas, Misiones and Piedmont) are now increased to four with the postulation of the Chiquitanía Nucleus in south-eastern Bolivia and bordering Paraguay. Some new endemisms are compiled from recent literature and mapped for the Misiones and Chiquitanía nuclei. The need for more botanical collections and further taxonomic, phylogenetic and demographic studies of South American legumes is emphasised.

High NDVI and Potential Canopy Photosynthesis of South American Subtropical Forests despite Seasonal Changes in Leaf Area Index and Air Temperature

The canopy photosynthesis and carbon balance of the subtropical forests are not well studied compared to temperate and tropical forest ecosystems. The main objective of this study was to assess the seasonal dynamics of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and potential canopy photosynthesis in relation to seasonal changes in leaf area index (LAI), chlorophyll concentration, and air temperatures of NE Argentina subtropical forests throughout the year. We included in the analysis several tree plantations (Pinus, Eucalyptus and Araucaria species) that are known to have high productivity. Field studies in native forests and tree plantations were conducted; stem growth rates, LAI and leaf chlorophyll concentration were measured. MODIS satellite-derived LAI (1 km SIN Grid) and NDVI (250m SIN Grid) from February 2000 to 2012 were used as a proxy of seasonal dynamics of potential photosynthetic activity at the stand level. The remote sensing LAI of the subtropical forests decreased every year from 6 to 5 during the cold season, similar to field LAI measurements, when temperatures were 10 °C lower than during the summer. The yearly maximum NDVI values were observed during a few months in autumn and spring (March through May and November, respectively) because high and low air temperatures may have a small detrimental effect on photosynthetic activity during both the warm and the cold seasons. Leaf chlorophyll concentration was higher during the cold season than the warm season which may have a compensatory effect on the seasonal variation of the NDVI values. The NDVI of the subtropical forest stands remained high and fairly constant throughout the year (the intra-annual coefficient of variation was 1.9%), and were comparable to the values of high-yield tree plantations. These results suggest that the humid subtropical forests in NE Argentina potentially could maintain high canopy photosynthetic activity throughout the year and thus this ecosystem may be a large carbon sink.

New pyrenocarpous lichens from NE Argentina

AbstractFive new species of corticolous pyrenocarpous lichens are described from tropical and subtropical forests in the Chaco and Misiones provinces in NE Argentina:Aspidothelium submuriformewith globose, grey ascomata and ascospores mostly 7-septate with 0–2 oblique longitudinal septa, 25–28×8–10 µm;Pyrenula inspersoleucotrypa, characterized by a thallus without pseudocyphellae, aggregated ascomata, an inspersed hamathecium, and ascospores of 17–20×6·5–8·0 µm with diamond-shaped lumina;Pyrenula punctoleucotrypa, which has a thallus with pseudocyphellae, aggregated ascomata in a conical pseudostroma, with fused ostioles, not inspersed hamathecium, and ascospores of 10–12×4–5 µm with rounded lumina;Strigula muriconidiata, containing immersed pycnidia with hyaline, densely muriform, ellipsoid conidia, 90–103×32–35 µm;Trypethelium globolucidum,forming sessile pseudostromata with black and whitish parts, an inspersed hamathecium, ascospores 13–19-septate, (65–)83–97×11·5–14·5 µm, lumina rounded to lentiform and containing lichexanthone.

3D gravity modeling of the Corrientes province (NE Argentina) and its importance to the Guarani Aquifer System

This paper presents a geological model of Corrientes province (Argentina) based on Bouguer gravity anomaly data, obtained in 2073 measurement points. To build the model, the IGMAS + interactive program was used. Two areas of approximately 135,000 km2 were modeled in this study. The selection of these areas was based on the sectors where the largest number of gravity anomaly measurements was made and other type of data was available to perform the parameterization (i.e, lithology profiles in boreholes, seismic profiles and audio-magnetotelluric AMT soundings). The initial geological configuration proposed was composed by four layers: basement, sediments (Paleozoic–Lower Cretaceous), basalts (Serra Geral Group, Lower Cretaceous) and post-basaltic sediments. The result shows a basement compartmentalized in structural blocks separated by large faults. The connection of Asunción and Río Grande Arches is confirmed along a structural high that crosses Corrientes province from SE to NW. The basaltic layer shows lateral changes in its thickness, due to faulting, almost disappearing on the NW of Corrientes. This structural configuration has a special hydrogeological importance because it produces the rise of the Guaraní Aquifer System sedimentary series near the surface and the intense fracture network makes this area prone to local recharge and regional discharge.

Comparative cytogenetics in Cyclopogon (Orchidaceae)

A cytotaxonomical description of Cyclopogon (Spiranthinae, Orchidaceae) is carried out through a deep karyotype analysis of four species from NE Argentina. Distinctive karyotype parameters concerning the chromosomes number, morphology, size and symmetry and the genome size associate to each taxon. Cyclopogon calophyllus (2n = 2x =28; 18m + 10sm), C. congestus (2n = 2x = 32; 26m + 6sm), C. elatus (2n = 2x = 28; 18m + 10sm) and C. oliganthus (2n = 4x = 64; 40m + 24sm) possess symmetrical karyotypes (i-mean = 40.01–42.84; A1 = 0.24–032; r>2 = 0.06–0.29) and excluding C. congestus (A2 = 0.26; R = 2.62) unimodality is the rule (A2 = 0.12–0.20; R = 1.73–1.92). Diploid taxa show a terminal macrosatellite in the m pair no. 2 (large arm) and share a comparable mean chromosome length (ca. 2.75 μm) and genome size (ca. 40 μm), superior to the tetraploid C. oliganthus (ca. 2 and 32 μm, respectively). The novel data added to preceding cytological, morphological and molecular approaches involving Cyclopogon and those related taxa of Spiranthinae largely based on x = 23 support the hypothesis that the unusual 2n and the karyotype morphology of Cyclopogon is an evolutionary advance within Spiranthinae with a basic reduction to x = 14 or 16 by chromosome fusions. A polyploid-dysploid series added to dibasic hybridization explain the extant 2n diversity though a paleopolyploid series on x = 7–8 is also possible.

Cytotaxonomy of Tripogandra diuretica and Tripogandra glandulosa (Commelinaceae) from NE Argentina

Karyotype features and microsporogenesis of Tripogandra diuretica (Mart.) Handlos and Tripogandra glandulosa (Seub.) Rohw. from 15 NE Argentina accessions are analysed via classical cytogenetics, CMA/DA/DAPI and Ag-NOR. The karyotype of T. glandulosa (2n = 2x = 16; 2m + 6sm + 8st) is bimodal (A 2 = 0.37; R = 2.65) and asymmetrical (A 1 = 0.63; i = 26.06; r > 2 = 0.88) (3B-Stebbins) with a genome size of 33.28 μm; two pairs are satellited, CMA+ and NOR-actives. Another four CMA+ loci and DAPI+ universal centromeric heterochromatin occur. Microsporogenesis is normal (pollen viability short stamens = 97.8%; large = 96.7%), meiotic behaviour is regular and chromosomes pair as 8II. The karyotype of T. diuretica (2n = 8x = 64; 8m + 24sm + 32st) is bimodal (A 2 = 0.27; R = 2.54) and asymmetrical (A 1 = 0.60; i = 27.32; r > 2 = 0.88) (3B-Stebbins); additionally, two pairs are satellited. Microsporogenesis is normal (short stamens = 77.8%; large = 68.5%), except for micronuclei and low pollen viability in some accessions. Meiotic behaviour is regular with 32II, acting as a cytological diploid, however the arrangement of the haploid karyotype suggests that T. diuretica, which also exhibits a reduction of the genome size (18.58 μm), constitutes an auto-octoploid taxa. Additionally, both species share cytological features common to karyotype orthoselection.

Middle slope contourite deposits and associated sedimentary facies off NE Argentina

The Argentine continental margin is characterised by a large contourite depositional system driven by southern-sourced water masses flowing at different water depths. Interest in contourite deposits is increasing in geoscience and related fields, though knowledge of the Argentine contourite system is still limited. In particular, studies based on core data providing detailed descriptions of sedimentary facies are lacking, as are investigations of principal sediment source areas and of key factors controlling sedimentary processes. This study combines visual core description and downcore grain-size analyses as well as petrographic thin-section and magnetic susceptibility analyses of 14 cores from intermediate water depths of 616–1,208 m to characterise contourite deposits on the north-eastern Argentinean slope. Gravel-rich, sandy–silty and muddy contourites as well as hemipelagic facies were identified. The deposition of these contourites was presumably controlled by sea level, the depth range of the Antarctic water mass, climate conditions and windborne terrigenous supply. It is proposed that, during glacial lowstands, muddy contourites were deposited at depths <900 m, whereas sandy–silty sequences dominated at deeper depths. During the late Pleistocene–Holocene transition, sandy–silty contourites covered the entire middle slope. Hemipelagic facies draped limited sectors of the middle slope when the sea level reached the present-day position and gravel-rich contourites became restricted to contouritic channels and moats. Northern Patagonia and the southern Pampa are the most plausible sources for sediments deposited via along-slope processes, whereas the Tandilia Range is the best candidate for sediments deposited via down-slope processes.

Late Holocene vegetation and environmental dynamics of the Araucaria forest region in Misiones Province, NE Argentina

This paper presents the late Holocene vegetation and fire history record from Parque Provincial Cruce Caballero, Misiones, NE Argentina (26° 30′ 55.35″ S, 53° 59′ 44.73″ W). The pollen and charcoal content of the 194 cm deep sediment core dating to ca. 1840 cal yr BP permitted the recognition of three distinct zones. Zone CC -1 (before ca. 1810 cal yr BP) was characterised by a forest dominated by Myrtaceae that also included other forest taxa like Alchornea, Trema and Moraceae/Urticaceae. The presence of Zea mays (maize) pollen grains around 1840 cal yr BP suggests the presence of pre-Colombian groups in the region who practiced food-production. Zone CC -2 (ca. 1810 to ca. 40 cal yr BP) witnessed the establishment of an herbaceous wetland in the locality as evidenced by the formation of peat and the increase in wetland taxa, in particular the Cyperaceae, indicating the change to a wetter and less seasonal climate that appears to be coeval with pollen records and soil-depth profiles' carbon isotope records documented in other regions of the southern Brazilian highlands during the late Holocene. The basal section of this zone also documents the arrival of Araucaria angustifolia trees to the region, the presence of maize, and a moderate increase in fires that could be related to more intense human activity in the region. The upper section of this zone shows a slight increase in A. angustifolia paralleled by a raise of other typical elements of mixed Araucaria forests like Clethra, Ilex, Myrsine and Podocarpus. Zone CC -3 (ca. 40 cal yr BP–today) shows a major increase in trees and ferns (particularly Osmunda) at the expense of sedges and grasses evidencing a local change from a wetland dominated herbaceous vegetation to the one dominated by arboreal taxa and ferns that exists today. This zone also shows a reduction in regional fires and the disappearance of local fires that seems to be associated to the creation of the Parque Provincial Cruce Caballero. Poaceae pollen percentages remained relatively low throughout the sequence indicating that the region did not support Campos (grassland) vegetation but was a forested landscape during the late Holocene.

Lichens as possible agents of sandstone deterioration in Jesuitic ruins of San Ignacio Miní (Misiones Province, Argentina)

The ruins of San Ignacio Mini, in NE Argentina, Misiones Province, included by the UNESCO in the list of World Heritage in 1984, were built in the 18th century by the Guarani people under the supervision of the Jesuite Congregation. The ruins are located in a tropical weather zone, exposed to extreme conditions of heat and humidity affecting the rocks used in its construction. These rocks are identified as siliceous sandstones, mainly formed by rounded to subrounded clasts, with scarce angulose particles, containing 96% quartz. Weather characteristics encourage the growth of vascular plants as well as algae and mosses and other organisms that damage materials. Among these, there are 18 lichen species (belonging to 18 genera), 8 foliose, 3 fruticose and 7 crustose. The damaging action of these lichens has been observed through SEM observations and EDAX microanalysis of rock samples colonized by Caloplaca sp. and Buellia sp.

Diversity and Abundance of Hymenopterous Parasitoids Associated withAnastrepha fraterculus(Diptera: Tephritidae) in Native and Exotic Host Plants in Misiones, Northeastern Argentina

Some Major host species used by the tephritid fruit flies Anastrepha fraterculus (Wiedemann) and Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann), including Acca sellowiana (O. Berg) Burret, Campomanesia xanthocarpa O. Berg, Psidium guajava L., Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, Eriobotrya japonica (Thunb.) Lindl., Citrus reticulata Blanco var. Murcott, C. aurantium L., C. paradisi Macfadyen var. Dalan Dan, and C. paradisi var. Sudashi, were sampled for fruit fly larvae between Feb and Dec 2000 in the northernmost section of the Paranaense forest, in the Province of Misiones, NE Argentina. Both A. fraterculus and C. capitata were obtained from these host plant species, with A. fraterculus accounting for 93% of all tephritid puparia identified. Ten species of larval-pupal parasitoids were recovered from A. fraterculus: Doryctobracon areolatus (Szépligeti), D. brasiliensis (Szépligeti), Utetes anastrephae (Viereck), Opius bellus (Gahan), Diachasmimorpha longicaudata (Ashmead) (Opiinae, Braconidae), Odontosema anastrephae Borgmeier, Lopheucoila anastrephae (Rohwer), Aganaspis pelleranoi (Brèthes) (Eucoilinae, Figitidae), Asobara anastrephae (Muessebeck) (Alyssinae, Braconidae), and Aceratoneuromyia indica (Silvestri) (Tetrastichinae, Eulophidae). All these parasitoids, with the exception of D. longicaudata and A. indica, are native to the Neotropical region. No parasitoids were recovered from C. capitata puparia. Asobara anastrephae and O. anastrephae are newly recorded in Argentina, whereas D. brasiliensis, U. anastrephae, and L. anastrephae are newly reported in Misiones. The eucoiline A. pelleranoi was the most abundant parasitoid species. Acca sellowiana and P. guajava harbored the highest parasitoid abundance and diversity.

A reply to D. Kröhling and M. Iriondo’s comment on “Genesis of subtropical soils with stony horizons in NE Argentina: Autochthony and polygenesis” by Morrás, H., Moretti, L., Píccolo, G. and Zech, W.

A reply to D. Kröhling and M. Iriondo’s comment on “Genesis of subtropical soils with stony horizons in NE Argentina: Autochthony and polygenesis” by Morrás, H., Moretti, L., Píccolo, G. and Zech, W.