Corrientes Province Research Articles

Experiences of Remembrance of Deceased Children (Angels). Corrientes Province, Argentina, and South of the Republic of Paraguay

We propose in this article to address some of the practices that allow the remembrance of deceased children in the Province of Corrientes, Argentina and the South of the Eastern Region of Paraguay. This approach places us in three exemplary situations that are inscribed in specific temporalities: a) the visit to the cemeteries on November 1, b) the serenades of adults during the morning of November 1 and the walk of children in the afternoon of October 31 or November 1 in the morning (Angeles Somos), and c) the celebration of the angel’s birthday, or the Day of the Child. Thus we could perceive that the visit to the cemeteries during November 1 is a significant recurrent throughout the area under study. In the case of “Ángeles Somos” we have found it in the towns of Norte de Corrientes, not observed in Paraguay. Both the Day of the Child and the birthday and remembrance of the angel are identified more strongly in Paraguay. The records correspond to the period 2006-2022, for this the ethnographic method has been prioritized with interviews, observations and records in various devices.

Distribution of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidade) species and human cases of leishmaniasis in the Province of Corrientes, Argentina

We updated the distribution of Phlebotominae (Diptera: Psychodidae) species and human cases of leishmaniasis in the Province of Corrientes, Argentina. Evandromyia correalimai (Martins, Coutinho & Lutz, 1970) is a new record for the province, reported in the urban area of Santo Tomé. We include the currently known distribution map of Phlebotominae sandfly species in Corrientes, and the localities where they were recorded, as well as a map of vector species and reported human cases of leishmaniases.

Paranotella taragui, un curioso nuevo género y nueva especie de Tingini (Heteroptera: Tingidae) de Argentina

Paranotella taragui, a new genus and species of Tingidae (Hemiptera: Heteroptera) recorded from the province of Corrientes, Argentina, is described. Its taxonomic position is justified, it is compared with the closest genera and the corresponding bibliography is offered.

New insight of the genus Cephalomyopsis (Caviomorpha, Cephalomyidae): Systematic revision and paleobiogeographical implications

Cephalomyopsis hypselodontus is a member of the family Cephalomyidae, originally described based on some isolated remains from the Colhuehuapian locality of Bryn Gwyn (Chubut Province, Argentina). Some specimens from the Deseadan localities of Cabeza Blanca (Chubut Province, Argentina) and Lacayani (La Paz Department, Bolivia), first described as Cephalomyidae morphotype 2 and 3, were later included in the genus. Also, a specimen found in Arroyo Avalos (Corrientes Province, Argentina) was included in the genus, but a taxonomic revision at the species level was never conducted. In this contribution, I revise all the specimens included in the genus, as well as new specimens found in Bryn Gwyn. The new specimens include the most juvenile teeth known so far and the first complete upper tooth row known for the genus. As a result, I define a single species for the genus and discuss the implication of this new systematic proposal. The species has a wide geographical distribution and a long biochron, the longest among cephalomyids. Finally, I discuss the dissimilarities between different localities in Argentina and Bolivia and the implications in the evolutionary history of Cephalomyidae and Chinchilloidea.

The Paraná River in the argentine plain: A review of its evolution and contemporary characteristics

This paper discusses the geological evolution of the Paraná River in Corrientes Province, located inside the Mesopotamic Argentine region, and reviews the principal geomorphological and hydro-sedimentological characteristics of this outstanding fluvial system.Active lateral migration of the Paraná River inside its large alluvial fan, which covers the north-western portion of Corrientes Province, reveals a structural control related to the separation and breakup of Gondwana. The lowlands now present in this region receive only pluvial input and constitute one of the largest wetlands in South America, the Esteros del Iberá.The best exposed geological units in Corrientes Province are the Ituzaingó Formation (Plio-Pleistocene) that is a fluvial deposit associated with evolution of the Paraná River, and the Toropí-Yupoí Formation (Pleistocene), a younger palustrine fill generated by deposition of aeolian sediment over the underlying fluvial sands.The present planform pattern of the Paraná River in Corrientes Province is anabranching with several types of bar that occupy more than 30% of the channel surface. The bed sediment is predominantly medium to fine sand with the dominant bedform being dunes, which thus also dominate its subsurface sedimentary architecture.The suspended sediment concentration of the Paraná River downstream from its confluence with the Paraguay River (its main tributary) is asymmetric across the channel width, with higher concentrations towards the west due to the much higher input of sediment from the Paraguay River, which in turn receives most of its suspended sediment from the Bermejo River. At Corrientes City, suspended sediment concentration shows extremes ranging from 1 to 616 mg L−1 on the eastern margin and from 8 to 1271 mg L−1 on the western margin. Mixing between the Paraná and Paraguay rivers flows may take more than 600 km downstream before full mixing is achieved, with the mixing processes at the junction being determined by the discharge (momentum) ratio between the two confluent rivers, topographically-driven flows and the possible influence of density driven underflows at their interface. The confluence area between the Paraná and Paraguay rivers is characterized by a large scour that is ∼30 m deep, with its deepest location being at the mouth of the Paraguay River where the channel narrows due to local bedrock control.Due to the different elevation of the Paraná River margins in the region downstream of the confluence, the contemporary floodplain is developed extensively only on the western margin. This floodplain can also be considered as proximal (flooded yearly) or distal (flooded only during extraordinary events) in its geomorphic character. Most of the headwaters of small tributaries in this part of the Paraná River basin are located in wetlands. In these wetlands, the channel beds are characterized by fine sediment consisting of silt and cohesive clays, and where the suspended sediment has a high proportion of organic matter.

Gender Agreement in Correntino Spanish

Abstract This article provides qualitative and quantitative analyses of variable gender agreement in Correntino Spanish, the variety of Spanish spoken by both Spanish-Guarani bilinguals and Correntino Spanish monolinguals in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. Drawing on data collected from fieldwork in the province, it will be shown that this variation is conditioned by distance effects and modifier class. Synchronic gender agreement variation in Correntino Spanish is attributed to diachronic source language agentivity effects (Van Coetsem, 1988) given the lack of gender inflection in Guarani. This phenomenon would be unsurprising as a contact effect if found synchronically only in bilinguals; however, its occurrence in monolinguals sets it aside as a rare instance of variable gender agreement in monolingual Spanish. This loosening of gender agreement mirrors the development of gender in Argentine Guarani (Cerno, 2010), and these phenomena taken together shed light on the malleability of gender systems under situations of intense language contact. Together they provide a valuable example of mutual contact-induced changes in gender systems.

Clay mineral assemblages as the key to understanding alteration processes in basalts from the province of Corrientes, Argentina

In the Mesopotamia region (Argentina) basalts are exploited as aggregates for different applications. Depending on the alteration they have undergone, their properties can be affected, especially if the rocks are altered to swelling clay minerals. The objective of this work is to contribute to understanding the local alteration process of basalts from the province of Corrientes and propose an alteration sequence. Mineralogical-chemical and textural studies were performed on the rocks by stereomicroscopy, polarizing microscopy, μ-XANES, SEM-EDS, and EPMA. In addition, X-ray diffraction, FTIR, DSC-TGA, cation exchange capacity, and exchangeable cations were determined on the material extracted from the cavities. According to the results obtained, secondary products would have formed by the interaction of the rock and hydrothermal fluids at temperatures likely < ∼100 °C–150 °C. Different alteration stages were determined (Stage 1 to 5), recognizing swelling clay minerals (saponite, Al-saponite, Fe-beidellite, beidellite-montmorillonite) +/− Fe-oxyhydroxides, calcite and, microcrystalline and cryptocrystalline silica as the main alteration phases. Pyroxene and plagioclase would have acted as the main source for the formation of clay minerals, while intercrystalline K-feldspar remains unaltered.

Aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) from Iberá Natural Reserve (Corrientes Province, Argentina)

An inventory of aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera (Insecta: Hemiptera) from Iber Natural Reserve (Corrientes Province, Argentina) is presented based on data from literature and the results of 10 expeditions to the region between 2003 and 2018. Different environments were surveyed at six ranger stations: Galarza, Itat, Laguna Iber, San Ignacio, San Nicols and Yahaver. In total, 69 species of Gerromorpha (23) and Nepomorpha (46) included in 29 genera (Gerromorpha, 13; Nepomorpha, 16) and 13 families (Gerromorpha, 5; Nepomorpha, 8) were recorded, representing 73% of the aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera fauna known from Corrientes Province. Gerridae was the richest family with regards to genera (6), followed by Veliidae (3), Belostomatidae (3), Naucoridae (3), and Notonectidae (3). However, with regards to species, Belostomatidae was the richest family (14 species), followed by Gerridae (10), Veliidae (8), Notonectidae (7), Naucoridae (6), Nepidae (6), Corixidae (4) and Micronectidae (4). The remaining 10 species belonged to Pleidae (3), Mesoveliidae (2), Hebridae (2), Gelastocoridae (2) and Hydrometridae (1). Five species are new for Argentina: Paravelia rotundanotata (Hungerford, 1930) (Veliidae), Steinovelia vinnula (Drake, 1951) (Veliidae), Neogerris celeris (Drake Harris, 1934) (Gerridae), Ovatametra obesa Kenaga, 1942 (Gerridae) and Curicta granulosa De Carlo, 1951 (Nepidae). Three genera (Paravelia Breddin, 1898; Brachymetra Mayr, 1865; Ovatametra Kenaga, 1942) are herein first recorded from Corrientes Province. Thirteen species are first recorded from Corrientes Province, raising to 94 the number of species of aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera recorded from the province. Twenty-eight species and six genera (Merragata White, 1877; Paravelia; Brachymetra; Halobatopsis Bianchi, 1896; Ovatametra; Rheumatobates Bergroth, 1892) are new for the Reserve. Geographic distributions and habitat associations of all species are presented. Our study highlights the importance of this Reserve for the protection of the aquatic and semiaquatic Heteroptera fauna and the habitats upon which they rely.

Terrestrial Ant Assemblages (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Protected Forests and Grasslands in Three Ecoregions of Corrientes Province, Argentina.

A comparative study on forests and grasslands in three ecoregions (Humid Chaco, Espinal, and Paranaense) was conducted in two protected areas in northeastern Argentina: Iberá National Park and Mburucuyá National Park. The effects of habitat heterogeneity (vegetation cover) on terrestrial ant (Formicidae) assemblages were analyzed and compared. The habitat heterogeneity hypothesis-which predicts that when environmental structural complexity increases, the species richness will also increase-was tested. Two sites were selected in each ecoregion. A forest and a grassland were surveyed in each site, using unbaited pitfall traps from October 2013 to February 2014. Overall, 5,465 ants belonging to 37 species were collected, 32 of which were present in forests and 26 in grasslands. Solenopsis invicta Buren (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) and Pheidole radoszkowskii Mayr (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) were the most abundant species. Formicidae assemblages were compared in terms of abundance, species richness, and diversity between habitats and ecoregions. The results of this study support the habitat heterogeneity hypothesis, since we found a higher diversity of ants in more structured habitats (i.e., forest) in the three ecoregions analyzed. Also, the ant assemblages differed both between habitats and between ecoregions. Our findings provide the first assessment of terrestrial ant assemblages in natural habitats of the three ecoregions in Corrientes Province, Argentina.

Morphological and molecular analysis of Ornithodoros hasei and Ornithodoros sp. cf. O. mimon (Acari: Argasidae) from northeastern Argentina

In this study two species of soft ticks belonging to the genus Ornithodoros were recorded in three areas in the province of Corrientes, Argentina. Four larvae were identified as Ornithodoros hasei (Schulze, 1935) on Molossus molossus (Molossidae) in Paraje Tres Cerros (Department of San Martín), while 56 larvae were identified as Ornithodoros sp. cf. O. mimon Kohls, Clifford &amp; Jones, 1969 on Eptesicus furinalis and Myotis levis (Vespertilionidae) in Paraje Galarza (Department of Santo Tomé) and Colonia Carlos Pellegrini (Department of San Martín). These last two locations are found within the Esteros del Iberá eco-region. The known distribution range of O. hasei and O. cf. O. mimon is expanded to include the province of Corrientes. Two new ectoparasite-host associations were recorded for Argentina between O. hasei on M. molossus and O. cf. O. mimon on M. levis. The morphological differences together with the results of the phylogenetic analysis show that O. hasei presents genetic similarity with specimens from Brazil, and in Argentina, with ticks from Santa Fe. Instead, Ornithodoros sp. cf. O. mimon recorded in Corrientes and Uruguay belong to a different taxon than the O. mimon recorded in Brazil and Santa Fe, Argentina. Based on this, O. mimon should be considered a complex of species in which the specimens from Corrientes are provisionally considered as Ornithodoros sp. cf. O. mimon until their taxonomic status can be determined.

Description and Sexual Behavior of Two New Species of Mygalomorph Spiders (Araneae: Theraphosidae, Pycnothelidae), and First Record of Xenonemesia platensis (Pycnothelidae) of Corrientes, Argentina.

Paraje Tres Cerros is a low altitude hilly natural area surrounded by cattle fields and characterized by three isolated rocky formations of about 150-180 m a.s.l. located in the Corrientes province of Argentina. Their topographic and environmental conditions are unique across the whole Mesopotamian littoral of Argentina and, therefore, can be considered as a biogeographic island that hosts several endemic species of plants and animals. The lack of knowledge of the mygalomorph spider species of the area led us to conduct a field study at Paraje Tres Cerros with the objective of surveying these spiders. From this survey, we described two new endemic species, Stenoterommata isa sp. nov. (Pycnothelidae) and Catumiri sapucai sp. nov. (Theraphosidae); and we recorded Xenonemesia platensis for the first time in the Corrientes province. In addition, we described the sexual behavior of Stenoterommata isa sp. nov. and Catumiri sapucai sp. nov. for the first time. We presented distribution maps for the Argentinean species of Stenoterommata, for the genus Catumiri as well as for Xenonemesia platensis. Stenoterommata isa sp. nov. constitutes the eighth known species of the genus in Argentina and according to its distribution is the only exclusive species recorded in the Corrientes province. Regarding its sexual behavior, we obtained one mating, which consisted in touches the female legs with legs I and II by the male, who starts the courtship by beating the female's cephalothorax and sternum with legs II and palps respectively. Then the male clasps with the first pair of legs between the palp base and chelicerae of the female and elevate her to reach the genital opening for the palpal insertions. Catumiri sapucai sp. nov. is the third species described from Argentina with a new spermathecae shape with two additional elongated digitiform domes external to the inner receptacles. We obtained five matings for this species, two of which involved males contacting females without an evident courtship. For the remaining three, the males initiated courtship by performing a few quick body vibrations. All males achieved the typical copulation position observed in most mygalomorphs and made about 3 to 5 palpal insertions, with the exception of one case in which spiders lost equilibrium and separated from each other. The presence of Xenonemesia platensis at this area is based on one adult female, thus further campaigns to collect more specimens will lead us to confirm this record or to better elucidate its taxonomic identity.

Política y mitrismo en la Provincia de Corrientes durante la Guerra de la Triple Alianza

When the political map of the Argentine Republic was transformed, as a result of the Battle of Pavón (1861), the impacts and influences of Mithraism in the province of Corrientes were decisive. From there, the imprint of the Corrientes liberal sector, which sympathized with Bartolomé Miter, was taking on a greater dimension in the influence of the historical evolution of the moment, reaching one of its culminating points with the Provincial Administrations of José Manuel Pampín and Manuel Ignacio Lagraña in the years 1861-65 and thus continue until the beginning of the War of the Triple Alliance. The article analyzes how the election of an urquicista, in the person of Evaristo López, for the Executive Power, will increase political disputes and, from then on, conflict, both electoral and partisan, will be consolidated, which will have the Mitristas as protagonists, determining the provincial political action in the years that will elapse after the Triple Alliance contest against Paraguay.

First record of Cnemidochroma phyllopus (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) in the province of Corrientes, Argentina and potential distribution in the southern part of South America.

Cnemidochroma Schmidt, 1924, a small genus of the tribe Callichromatini endemic in South America, comprises six species of which the only one recorded in Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil is C. phyllopus (Gurin-Mneville, 1844). The aim of this study was to estimate potential suitable areas for C. phyllopus to provide further knowledge on its current distribution. A dataset of 43 records was compiled and species distribution modelling was employed linking these occurrences with bioclimatic variables. Results indicate higher suitability conditions along the Atlantic coast of Brazil, reaching north Uruguay and extending inland to Paraguay and northern parts of Argentina. In addition, we report a new distributional record from Corrientes, Argentina.

RECORD OF A LEUCISTIC PAMPAS FOX LYCALOPEX GYMNOCERCUS (CARNIVORA: CANIDAE) IN NORTHEASTERN OF ARGENTINA

Leucism is a frequent chromatic mutation in mammals that causes partial or complete fur depigmentation. This type of mutation is interesting because they have physiological and ecological implications. We report here the first record of leucism in a pampas fox Lycalopex gymnocercus (Carnivora: Canidae), photographed using a camera trap in the northeast of the province of Corrientes, Argentina. Although cases of hypopigmentation are apparently very rare among pampas foxes, they could actually be more frequent than previously assumed. Given the ecological and physiological importance of these anomalies, researchers should report all records of this type in order to understand the degree to which these genetic variants are present in wild populations of different species of vertebrates.

Evaluación de recursos en el estudio de las propiedades industriales y culinarias para la caracterización varietal de arroz (Oryza sativa L.)

Different physicochemical tests have been used over time in the Oryza sativa species for the study of industrial and culinary properties. In this study, nine attributes were compared: amylose content, total whiteness, thousand grain weight, grain length and width, gelatinization time, apparent water absorption, expansion ratio, and gelatinization temperature. However, there is no single attribute that allows defining the concept of “culinary quality” in rice, since it depends on its behavior after cooking. The two varieties of long fine polished rice used for this study were: IRGA 424 (Rio Grandense Rice Institute) and Tranquilo FL INTA (National Institute of Agricultural Technology) and a mixture of both. In this work, the characterization of industrial and culinary properties of the rice varieties mentioned above was achieved by evaluating five attributes using simple and low-cost physical-chemical techniques in two of the rice varieties most in demand by producers in the province of Corrientes. This finding would allow the study of rice varieties to be approached by optimizing: equipment, reagents and time in future trials.

Crocodia Link. (Peltigeraceae, Lobarioideae) in northern Argentinean rainforests

A revision of the lichen genus Crocodia Link. in northern Argentinean rainforests is presented. Three species were identified for the region: C. arvidssonii (D.J. Galloway) D.J. Galloway &amp; Elix, C. aurata (Ach.) Link., and C. clathrata (De Not.) Trevis. The distribution range known for these species is extended: C. arvidssonii is recorded for the first time for the country; C. aurata for Corrientes, Misiones, and Salta provinces; and C. clathrata for Corrientes and Jujuy provinces. The morphology of each species is described and illustrated. A distribution map and a key to known species of the genus are also presented.

Molecular characterization of Giardia duodenalis and evidence for cross‐species transmission in Northern Argentina

Anthropogenic activities, such as human population expansion and land-use change, create ecological overlap between humans, domesticated animals, and wildlife and can exacerbate the zoonotic transmission of parasites. To improve our understanding of this dynamic, we employed multi-locus genotyping to conduct a cross-sectional study of the potential for zoonotic transmission of the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis among humans, household associated livestock and dogs, and black and gold howler monkeys (Alouatta caraya) in the Corrientes Province of Argentina. We found Giardia prevalence to be highest in howler monkeys (90.3% (47/52)), followed by humans (61.1% (22/36)), dogs (44.4% (16/36)), and cattle (41.9% (18/43)). We further established that howler monkeys exclusively harbored strains of assemblage B (100%) while humans were infected with either assemblage A (13.3%) or B (80%) or A and B (6.7%), and cattle and dogs were infected with either assemblage A (cattle, 94.1%; dogs, 80%)), A and C (10%), or their host-adapted assemblage (cattle, 5.9%; dogs, 10%). Our finding of G. duodenalis in both humans and domesticated animals (assemblage A) and humans and wild primates (assemblage B) suggests that cross-species transmission of multiple assemblages of G. duodenalis may occur in rural complexes such as northern Argentina where people, domesticated animals, and wildlife overlap. We further highlight the need to investigate the implications of these results for human health, the economics of livestock production, and wildlife conservation in this and similar systems.

Effect of melatonin on follicular development parameters in a fixed-timed artificial insemination programme in water buffalo

It is well known that buffaloes have seasonal anoestrus and that the use of melatonin reduces the effects of season in reproduction, articularly among sheep and goats. This study evaluates the use of melatonin on water buffaloes to increase pregnancy rates in a fixed-time insemination programme. The study was conducted on an Argentinian buffalo herd, located in the Corrientes Province, during an unfavourable reproductive season. Artificial insemination cycles were performed in September and December 2018. Sixty animals were selected, and melatonin was administered to 29 females at a dose of 18 mg/50 kg. Ten days after the melatonin implant, ovulation synchronization was started. Animals were inseminated with frozen semen of a single bull. Pregnancy was evaluated by ultrasound 35 days after insemination. The pregnancy rate of the two repetitions was 34.62% for September and 6.4% for December (P=0.007). No significant differences were found in the parameters associated with follicular development and formation of the corpus luteum. Analysis of the effects of melatonin on the two replicates showed that there was no statistically significant effect of ovarian response regarding the analysed follicular development parameters. There was also no effect on pregnancy rates (17.85% vs. 20.68%; P=0.15), or on follicular development for treatment and control. In conclusion, this study was not able to demonstrate an effect of melatonin on the ovarian response of buffaloes as reported by other authors. Other factors, such as environmental conditions of subtropical areas and species specificities, may have a more significant effect on buffalo endocrinology. These factors should be evaluated to improve the results of fixed-timed artificial insemination programmes.

First record of Cynomops planirostris (Peters, 1866) (Chiroptera, Molossidae) in Corrientes province, Argentina

Cynomops planirostris (Peters, 1866) was previously known in Argentina only from the provinces of Salta and Jujuy in the northwest and in Misiones in the northeast. Here, we newly report this species from the province of Corrientes and the Humid Chaco ecoregion. We also offer information on the natural history of the species and on the bat assemblage present in the study area. This record increases the number of species of bats known in Corrientes to 34.

Bat (Mammalia: Chiroptera) biodiversity in a subtropical inselberg ecosystem of Northeastern Argentina

Introduction: Rocky outcrops influence both micro and macro habitat for plants and animals by increasing the availability and predictability of food, providing shelter, and unique microclimatic conditions. Objective: We describe the bat assemblage in three isolated rocky outcrops and their surrounding pediments, adding new data about trophic guilds and roosts. Methods: We surveyed the bat fauna of Paraje Tres Cerros, Corrientes Province, Argentina, explored 13 sites during 26 field trips, using mist nets and search of roosts. We made an accumulation species curve and calculate inventory completeness. The similarity and composition of different habitats was compared by a non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) and an ANOSIM test. Results: We reported 13 species, with a completeness inventory of the 80 % (Jacknife1), corresponding to the families Vespertilionidae, Molossidae and Phyllostomidae. The insectivorous bats were the best represented guild. We found nine types of roost for eight species in different sites. The analysis expressed low differences in the species composition between both types of habitats in the area. Conclusions: The rocky outcrops and their pediments are important ecosystems for the conservation and diversity of the bats in the region, since their communities are regionally unique.