Puna Region Research Articles

Cueva Huenul 1 Archaeological Site, Northwestern Patagonia, Argentina: Initial Colonization and Mid-Holocene Demographic Retraction

In this paper 1 present an intensively dated chrono-stratigraphic sequence for the Cueva Huenul 1 archaeological site, Neuquen Province, Argentina. Located in the inland deserts of northwestern Patagonia, Cueva Huenul 1 offers a remarkable temporal record of events for a largely unstudied desert region. I connect this local record with available data on a macroregional scale to reassess (1) the timing of the first human colonization of the area and its implications for explaining the extinction of megafauna (ca. 14,000-10,000 cal B.P.) and (2) the decrease in human occupation recorded in several South American deserts during parts of the mid-Holocene (ca. 8000-6000 cal B .P.). The data presented here show a gap of about 1,500 calendar years between the extinction of megafauna and the appearance of humans. A review of evidence from the northern Patagonia and southern Cuyo regions is consistent with this record, favoring ecological causes for regional extinction ofmegafaunal taxa. Integration of this record with those indicating the earliest human presence in South America (e.g., Monte Verde, Chile) is consistent with a process of human radiation to the inland Patagonian deserts from nodes of initial occupation. The chrono-stratigraphic sequence from Cueva Huenul 1 also contributes to an assessment of a trough in human occupation along the South American Arid Diagonal around 8000-6000 cal B.P. Evidence for a decrease in occupational intensity during this period is found in the highland and lowland deserts in Mendoza and San Juan, the Puna region in northwestern Argentina, the Atacama Desert in Chile, and possibly the Pampean region. Previous researchers have suggested that persistent arid conditions would have produced increasing landscape fragmentation, particularly affecting desert areas. A more specific understanding of the demographic processes underlying this archaeological signal is needed. In this paper I suggest that this trough reflects not only spatial and social rearrangements, but also a macro-regional demographic retraction. This could have caused a population bottleneck with lasting biological and cultural implications.

Positive selection of AS3MT to arsenic water in Andean populations

Arsenic is a carcinogen associated with skin lesions and cardiovascular diseases. The Colla population from the Puna region in Northwest Argentinean is exposed to levels of arsenic in drinking water exceeding the recommended maximum by a factor of 20. Yet, they thrive in this challenging environment since thousands of years and therefore we hypothesize strong selection signatures in genes involved in arsenic metabolism. We analyzed genome-wide genotype data for 730,000 loci in 25 Collas, considering 24 individuals of the neighbouring Calchaquíes and 24 Wichí from the Gran Chaco region in the Argentine province of Salta as control groups. We identified a strong signal of positive selection in the main arsenic methyltransferase AS3MT gene, which has been previously associated with lower concentrations of the most toxic product of arsenic metabolism monomethylarsonic acid. This study confirms recent studies reporting selection signals in the AS3MT gene albeit using different samples, tests and control populations.

Mapping and spatial characterization of Argentine High Andean peatbogs

Peatbogs are the most productive and biodiversity rich ecosystems of high dry Puna region, and provide essential ecosystems services to local inhabitants. Despite their ecological and economic importance, the geographic patterns and distribution of peatbogs as well the dynamic of this system are barely known. In this work we (1) identified and mapped subtropical Argentine High Andean peatbogs based in a supervised classification of Landsat images, and a posteriori spatial processing to define functional units; (2) used such classification to characterize the whole Argentina Puna region (14.3 million hectares) in terms of their geographic patterns of peatbogs; and (3) characterized the region’s sub-watersheds according to their peatbogs density and geographic characteristics. The post-process map reports a total area of peatbogs of 94427.55 ha (0.66 % of total study area) with 10,428 polygons. The majority of peatbogs are small or median (i.e., 21.8 % of total area included 10,000 ha represent 18 % of total area. Peatbogs density is spatially heterogeneous, with much higher density in the north and central east of the study area. Sub-watershed can be grouped into six main groups according to the percentage of peatbogs cover, mean size of peatbogs and altitude. The combination of basic information, such as map of peatbogs cover with spatial patterns characterization, is a priority input for the conservation planning of this extensive and valuable ecosystem, and to ongoing land use planning initiatives.

Stable Isotopes (Li, O, H) Combined with Brine Chemistry: Powerful Tracers for Li Origins in Salar Deposits from the Puna Region, Argentina

Future improving of the innovative technology of Lithium air batteries correlates with an increased demand for Li-resources. We analyzed and compared stable isotopic compositions from 4 Argentinean Li rich salars. The Pozuelos (PS), Centenario (CN), Ratones (RT) and Hombre Muerte (HM) belong to the world class brine resources of the Atacama triangle. CN has a halite core surrounded by fine grained clastic sediments, while RT comprises lesser evaporates, but coarser grained volcanoclastics. Two Cl-Na SO4 brine aquifers (down to 250 m depth) host several hundreds of mg/l of Li. The surface waters are characterized by Li < 7mg/l, δ7Li of ≈ 9.5, δD: -66 ‰ and δ18OSMOW: -7.8 ‰. The stable isotopic composition differs slightly from the upper aquifer (δ7Li ≈9.2 ‰, δD -47.2 ‰ and δ18OSMOW -0.8 ‰) to the lower aquifer (δ7Li: 9.7 ‰, δD: -51.6 ‰ and δ18OSMOW: -1.7 ‰). The dominant source of Li is related to water–rock interactions (surface, saline waters with andesites, pegmatites, pyroclastics). The comparison of our RT and CN data to those of the close-by PS and HM, shows that each salars has its own geological, hydrological and climate history which can be defined by crossing isotope tracers. However, the development of pertinent isotopic regional and local exploration proxies, needs identical data sets on systematically defined samples of the same aquifer type, on country rocks and minerals.

PARA QUE "CRECIERA EL PUEBLO COMO POTOSÍ": LA MINERÍA EN LA PUNA DE JUJUY DURANTE EL PERIODO COLONIAL

Este articulo tiene como objetivo dar cuenta de las caracteristicas que adquirio la mineria en la puna de Jujuy durante el periodo colonial. A lo largo de este trabajo se sintetizan los resultados alcanzados, atendiendo a la constitucion de la region como un area minera, a la escala de trabajo e inversion de los emprendimientos desarrollados alli y a quienes se involucraron de distinta forma en ellos. Se observa asi que la actividad extractiva a baja y mediana escala, llevada adelante por europeos e indigenas, adquirio un rol muy importante en la dinamica socio-politica de la puna. Finalmente, se reflexiona sobre los procesos observados en esta region en comparacion con el resto de la macroregion conformada por el Tucuman colonial.This paper aims to describe the characteristics of mining activities in the Puna of Jujuy acquired during colonial times. In this article we summarize the results of our research, taking into account the constitution of this region as a mining area, the scale of work and investment of the enterprises developed there and the people involved in these activities. It is observed that the low and medium scale extractive labours carried out by European and Indigenous people played an important role in the socio-political dynamics of the Puna region. Finally, we consider the processes observed in this area, comparing them with the rest of the macro-region of the colonial Tucuman.

Description of new andean species of the genus Phymaturus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Northwestern Argentina.

As a result of several field trips and studies of collections of Phymaturus samples from Andean areas of central western Argentina (San Juan province), we discovered two populations that exhibit a particular character combination not seen in other species formally recognized in the literature. Based on a detailed analysis of an extended list of morphological characters (93), including scalation, color pattern, gular and nuchal folds, precloacal pores, and morphometric data, we conclude that these populations represent independent lineages that deserve to be considered as new species. According to the most recent revision of the genus and considering the descriptions made in another recent contribution, the taxonomic composition of the genus was increased to 38 species. In this study we provide the formal description of two additional new taxa, including their diagnosis and detailed comparisons with other members of their species group. The two new species belong to the palluma group, and can be assigned to the Puna subclade because they present the typical dorsal "spray" pattern. Other characters described in this study suggest their close phylogenetic relationship with other species of this subclade inhabiting the southern Puna region of Argentina, such as Phymaturus punae. Within the Puna subclade, Phymaturus aguanegra sp. nov. differs from all other members (P. antofagastensis, P. denotatus, P. laurenti, P punae, P extrilidus, P mallimaccii and P paihuanense) exhibiting the following combination of diagnostic characters: a complete melanism over the dorsum of neck, the presence of enlarged scales at the base of tail in males, having strongly keeled tarsal scales, lacking enlarged scales on the anterior margin of the antehumeral fold and centre of chest, females without flank coloration, a vertebral dark gray stripe usually present on the dorsum, females exhibiting a tricolor dorsal pattern, with two types of brown and scattered ferriferous oxide spots, and the absence of a scapular spot. Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. differs from all other members of the Puna clade because: exhibits an "aggregate" dorsal pattern, unlike the homogeneous spray of most Puna species, lacks enlarged scales on the anterior margin of the antehumeral fold and in the centre of chest, flank coloration in females is absent, females of Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. lack white transversal stripes on the dorsal pattern, preocular scale in contact with canthal scale in Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov., rostral scale can be divided in Phymaturus williamsi sp. nov. and shows the largest number of scales counted around midbody within the Puna subclade (x= 213.4; 186-235).

Middle Holocene foraging, mobility and landscape use in the southern Argentinean Puna: Hunter–gatherers from Antofagasta de la Sierra, Catamarca, Argentina

This work addresses the issue of interactions between human populations and the environment in Argentina's southern Puna region during the middle Holocene, a time period when significant changes took place at the macro-regional scale. This issue is addressed through the analysis of various lines of evidence recovered from archaeological sites in Antofagasta de la Sierra, in the province of Catamarca, Argentina. The influence of environmental changes on organizational aspects of the human populations is evaluated, particularly in regard to mobility and foraging during the early-to-middle Holocene transition that took place around 8500 BP, with a focus on the middle Holocene time span from 8000 to 6000 BP. Emphasis is placed on interactions between hunter–gatherers and their prey, as well as the origins of particular non-local elements recorded in the Puna environments and their implications in terms of mobility and possible social mechanisms involved in the circulation of these objects.

A New Lizard of Phymaturus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Argentina

Abstract In this study, we describe a new taxon for the genus Phymaturus from the Sierra Laguna Blanca, Catamarca Province, Argentina. This area is known to be an isolated part of the Puna region where other endemic species of vertebrates occur. This new species of lizard belongs to the palluma group because it exhibits juxtaposed superciliary scales, rugose caudal scales, and typically a fragmented subocular scale. Also, this new Phymaturus is assignable, within the palluma group, to the northern or Puna clade because it presents the typical “spray” pattern and brown tails in males, which are distinct from the dorsal-reticulated pattern and yellow tails in species of the southern palluma group. It differs from its relatives in the Puna clade by having the following combination of characters: scapular spot present (more conspicuous in juveniles and females), yellow color in flank of females, males without enlarged scales on ventral surface of the base of tail, males with dark brown throat, enlarged scales...

Habitat use and selection by the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna, Camelidae) during summer and winter in the High Andean Puna of Argentina

Habitat use and selection by vicuñas and particularly by individuals of different social categories were evaluated during the summer and winter of two years (2006 and 2007) that differed in their precipitation pattern. Both, use and selection, were analyzed within the framework of the optimal foraging theory (OFT) that predicts a high proportion of individuals using habitats where the most nutritional food items are present, and if other things are equal, habitats should be chosen if they yield the highest average rate of energy intake, which fits with this theory. Indeed, a prediction of the habitat selection theory (HST) was evaluated during winter (dry season). Over the study period high proportions of vicuñas occupied habitats with availability of high quality food, which supports the OFT. However, habitat selection differed between seasons and years due to the decrease in plant resource availability in the winter of both years and in the summer of 2007 (with drought conditions). In the dry season of the good year (2006), vicuñas (familial individuals, particularly) were more homogeneously distributed among habitats than in summer, which is consistent with the HST. High proportions of individuals at the wetland (called vega) were more evident during the bad year (2007) than in the good one. Therefore, habitat use (and selection) by vicuñas in this sector of the Puna region is influenced by the availability of high quality food resources and by the presence of water, and the relevance of the latter increased with drought conditions. An assessment of the interactions between individuals of different social categories will contribute to better understanding the distribution of animals among different habitats.

Modelling demographic dynamics and cultural evolution: The case of the early and mid-Holocene archaeology in the highlands of South America

Based upon the modelling of the dynamics of populations occupying low-quality environments with varying technological innovation rates, this work constructs some generalizations about expected patterns of cultural evolution which could be documented in the regional archaeological record of populations which occupied heterogeneous and spatially-structured environments. These expectations are discussed on the basis of the archaeological record of the Puna of Argentina and Chile. This record supports the derived hypothesis that from the early Holocene to the end of the mid-Holocene, the rate of adaptive cultural evolution increased as human populations increased in size. Cultural flow was an important mechanism for the technological transfer of adaptive technological innovations between local populations connected through larger social networks which exceeded the Puna region, since the beginnings of the human colonization of the area when the risk of local extinction was high. More broadly, the archeological record of the Puna region supports the theoretical prediction that population pressure was not the cause of the major trends in cultural evolution, but the consequence. Based on this, the interrelation between population size dynamics and cultural evolution is highlighted.

Isotopic evidence for Middle Horizon to 16th century camelid herding in the Osmore Valley, Peru

AbstractArchaeological and zooarchaeological data indicate that camelid pastoralism was a subsistence and economic mainstay of Middle Horizon and more recent cultures in the Osmore region of southern Peru. However, it is not known whether camelids were primarily herded in highland puna pastures or near lower elevation sites in the middle valley or along the coast. This research examines the elevation of archaeological camelid herding in the Osmore Valley using stable isotope analysis. Stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios were measured on 28 archaeological camelid bone samples from the Middle Horizon sites of Cerro Baúl and Cerro Mejía, the Late Intermediate site of Yaral and the late pre‐Hispanic to Colonial period site of Torata Alta. Twenty‐three archaeological camelids have δ13C and δ15N values similar to five modern camelids maintained in highland puna pastures. In contrast, three camelids from the high status Wari site of Cerro Baúl, and two from Yaral have unexpectedly high δ13C and/or δ15N values outside the expected range for camelids pastured in highland puna habitats. The results may be explained by differences in foddering practices, altitudinal herding range or climatic conditions. Strontium isotope ratios (87Sr/86Sr) were also assessed to infer pasture elevation using the camelid remains from Cerro Baúl (n = 11). One individual in this sub‐sample exhibits a non‐local 87Sr/86Sr value indicative of an origin in the highland puna region east or south of Lake Titicaca. It was not possible to further distinguish between camelids herded in lower to middle elevation habitats outside the Lake Titicaca basin using 87Sr/86Sr values. This study suggests that multiple isotope proxies may be used to identify animals primarily pastured in lowland coastal versus highland puna (&gt; 4000 masl (meters above sea level)) habitats, but are less useful at distinguishing between animals pastured in lower to middle elevation settings. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Archaeological studies in the highlands of Salta, Northwestern Argentina, during Middle Holocene: The case of the Pocitos and Pastos Grandes Basins

This comparative article analyses the archaeological diversity in two basins of the Puna of Salta (Pastos Grandes and Pocitos), Northwestern Argentina, during the Middle Holocene and beginning of the Late Holocene. The article adopts an evolutionary ecology theoretical framework. The analysis methods include surveys and excavations of different sectors within both basins, including the study of the archaeological material thereof. This article focuses on four main lines of evidence: the use of space, lithic technology, and archaeofaunal and bioarchaeological assemblages. The results show an intensive, but diversified, use of the region. The archaeological record across the region suggests both similarities and differences between Pastos Grandes, Pocitos and other areas in the Puna region. Furthermore, the archaeological evidence indicates that during the Middle Holocene and the beginning of the Late Holocene important changes occurred concerning different aspects of human settlement in the area.

A new species of Liolaemus of the Liolaemus montanus section (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from Northwestern Argentina

We provide evidence for a new species of Liolaemus, which can be included in the L. dorbignyi group within the montanus series. Liolaemus vulcanus sp. nov. was previously confused with L. dorbignyi, but it exhibits states of character which allow us to differentiate the two taxa. The main differences with L. dorbignyi are in the color pattern and in the dorsal scales. Liolaemus vulcanus sp. nov. is saxicolous and it inhabits in rocky hills in the Puna regions of Northwestern Argentina. It is distributed in localities in Antofagasta de la Sierra department in Catamarca Province, Argentina .

Environmental geochemistry of ancient volcanic ashes

Volcanic ashes from the Puna and surrounding Andean areas in northern Argentina show that sometimes volcanic ash deposits are very well preserved (up to several million years) and can remain a potential hazard for the environment in a similar way as current deposits. Eight ashes have been characterized by SEM–EDX and DRX, and their potential released geochemical fluxes were examined by using water and nitric acid batches, which are analyzed by ICP-OES, ICP-MS and ISE (F). Results demonstrate that water batch system is better medium than nitric acid for this study. The high and fast reactivity of these ancient ashes is mainly associated with their high content in glass. The order of magnitude of released contents of implied elements is consistent among the samples, i.e., Al > B > Fe > Zn > F > P > Mn > Ba > Sr > Li > Ti > Rb > Cu > Ni > Sb > Pb > As > Cr > V. Ash–water interaction, although infrequent in arid regions such as the Puna Region in northern Argentina, introduces rapid changes in the geochemical fluxes of elements and pH and may constitute a potential hazard for the environment. In fact, many of these elements are included in the drinking water guidelines due to their potential toxicity and may constitute potential hazards for the environment and human health.

Two New Species of Lizards of the Liolaemus montanus Group (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the Northwestern Uplands of Argentina

We provide descriptions for two new species belonging to the Liolaemus montanus group from northern Argentina. The new species are similar to Liolaemus nigriceps and Liolaemus multicolor. However, the new species differ from these taxa, and all other members of the montanus group, in a number of characteristics. The first new species differs from L. nigriceps in the following ways: smaller body size, dorsum of head grey, and variegated throat, and most males exhibit supernumerary precloacal pores. The second new species differs from all other members of the montanus series in having frontonasal scales forming a convex protruding area. It differs from L. multicolor in that males never show blue scales, in the lack of projecting scales on the anterior margin of the auditory meatus, in having an immaculate throat, and in the lack of supernumerary precloacal pores. The first new species occurs throughout the high elevation (3,500-4,300 m) of the puna region situated at the western edge of the southwest Salar de Arizaro (Salta Province, Argentina), an ancient hypersaline dehydrated lake. The second new species is known only from a restricted area on the hypersaline margins of the same ancient lakebed, where plant cover is quite scarce with small grassy plants, and the ground surface is salty. The discovery of these new taxa supports the hypothesis that large saline depressions, such as Salar de Arizaro, are natural vicariant barriers that favored speciation in this genus.

Molecular characterization and in situ detection of bacterial communities associated with rhizosphere soil of high altitude native Poaceae from the Andean Puna region

Puna is a harsh bio-geographical region in South America that characterized by distinct plant diversity, high aridity and irradiance. In the present study, rhizospheric bacterial communities were analyzed along an altitudinal gradient in this region while considering the different photosynthesis pathways (C 3/C 4) of the native grasses. This analysis included cultivation-dependent and -independent approaches such as PCR-DGGE analysis of the 16S rRNA genes and FISH. DGGE revealed that the band richness differed along the altitudinal gradient, but that it did not differ significantly among plants with different metabolic pathways. Overall, we found that Bacillus and Pseudomonas were the dominant phylotypes based on the DGGE analysis. Additionally, nearly 80% of the species identified by PCR were also identified using the cultivation method. FISH analysis revealed that the Gammaproteobacteria and Actinobacteria were the dominant bacterial groups at most sites, followed by Archaea. Finally, low bacterial diversity was detected in samples collected from all heights, possibly due to the harsh environment. Overall, evaluation of the results obtained using the two different approaches revealed that the culture method is efficient for screening of the bacterial community in Puna rhizospheric soils. Additionally, we discuss possible effects of Puna rhizospheric bacteria on the protection of native grasses and nutrient capture.

Morphological and geochemical analysis of the Laguna Blanca/Zapaleri obsidian source in the Atacama Puna

AbstractThis paper describes a large obsidian deposit located along the southern banks of Laguna Blanca, on the eastern slope of the Jarellón volcanic caldera near the Chilean–Bolivian border. The obsidian at this site occurs in flows or sheets of deflated black or reddish to brown pebbles, redeposited on the shores of a lake. Blocks of obsidian are only found around the caldera rim. Here we analyze the shape of the obsidian pebbles and their geochemistry, comparing them with previously published data. The results indicate that the geochemical composition of the samples strongly matches previous analyses of obsidian from cultural contexts. This obsidian source was one of the most important sites of obsidian procurement since at least the Formative Period in the Atacama Puna region. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

A contribution to the study of diet of formative societies in northwestern Argentina: isotopic and archaeological evidence

AbstractThe present paper is aimed at presenting and discussing currently available isotopic values (δ13C) of human samples dated to the Formative Period in the Santa María Valley, adjacent to the Yungas and Puna regions of northwestern Argentina. Results show that the expected tendency of increasingly positive C4 isotopic values consistent with the hypothesis of maize agriculture consolidation during Formative times was only partially corroborated. A fuller understanding of this trend is limited by the scant number of samples as well as by the lack of local reference values. Notwithstanding, the revision of this evidence in light of relevant archaeobotanical data allows us to start building a more accurate reconstruction of the lifestyles of early agricultural societies settled in northwestern Argentina. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Oxygen and living at altitude

San Antonio de los Cobres, Puna region in the Andes in northwest Argentina, altitude 3800 m: pulse oximetry oxyhaemoglobin saturation (Spo2) 84% and heart rate 65 beats per minute –...

Two New Species of Liolaemus (Iguania: Liolaemidae) from the Puna of Northwestern Argentina

Abstract We describe two new species of Liolaemus belonging to the montanus series. The new species are closely related to L. dorbignyi, but are disjunctly distributed with respect to this taxon. Both new species exhibit unique color patterns, which, along with differences in squamation, differentiate the two new taxa from the other species in the series. Both new species are saxicolous and inhabit rocky hills in the Puna regions of northwestern Argentina. One occurs in the Cerro de la Virgen, Nevados de Cachi and Nevados de Palermo of Salta Province. The other is known only from its type locality in the Cerro El Pichao of Tucuman Province.