South-central Peru Research Articles

A new species of Thrixopelma (Araneae: Theraphosidae: Theraphosinae) from southern Peru

ABSTRACT This work aims to describe a new species of Thrixopelma Schmidt, 1994 from southcentral Peru in the Department of Cusco. Thrixopelma choquequirao sp. nov. can be easily distinguished from congeneric species by the low number of labial cuspules, a very long palpal tibia, morphology of the male palpal bulb and female spermathecae. Currently the genus Thrixopelma comprises seven formally described species which inhabit Perú and Ecuador, distributed in Amazonian rainforest, Coastal Dry Forest, and Andean Dry Forest.

Unstructured satellite survey detects up to 20% of archaeological sites in coastal valleys of southern Peru.

Satellite survey is widely used for archaeological site discovery, but the efficacy of the method has received little systematic investigation. In this analysis, twelve study participants of different experience levels performed an unstructured remote survey of 197 km2 in the Sama and Moquegua valleys of south central Peru where previous pedestrian surveys recorded 546 archaeological sites. Results indicate an average site discovery rate of 9.3% (0-18%, 95% range). The most experienced participants detect up to 20% (17-22%) of known archaeological sites. These detection rates can be used to derive reliable site frequency estimates on the Andean coast, which can be used in planning and budgeting for field efforts and estimating demographic patterns at large spatial scales that are difficult to achieve through pedestrian survey. More generally, this analysis offers a method for deriving correction terms specific to other parts of the world. Additionally, the results can serve as a baseline for evaluating the effectiveness of emerging artificial intelligence routines for archaeological site detection.

Phaneroptic characterization and zoometric indices of Creole goats in the Ayacucho Region, Peru: First step for breeding programs, selection, and conservation.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the phenotypic characteristics and typification of Creole goats in five localities of the Ayacucho region in south-central Peru. Data from 149 goats (25 males and 124 females) were collected, excluding animals under 2 years of age, pregnant, and sick. Seven qualitative characteristics and 11 zometric measurements were evaluated, and then 9 zometric indices were estimated. In the region, goats with composite colors predominated (76.50%). Additionally, supernumerary (24.20%) and divergent teats (22.60%) were observed in females, while males exhibited a scrotal bifurcation (32.00%). The origin of the flock had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on body measurements, as well as on pelvic index, transverse pelvic index, longitudinal pelvic index, compactness index, and load cannon bone index, except for body index (BOI), proportionality index, dactyl thorax index (DTI), and relative cannon bone thickness index (<p > 0.05). In the Ayacucho region, there is a predominance of light animals (57.72%) with a significant DTI (<p < 0.05) among the populations, including goats with good balance and capable of walking long distances. Furthermore, there are compact animals (47.65%) with a significant BOI (<p < 0.05) among the flock populations, which animals are of the biotype of meat. Conversely, the strongest positive correlation (<r = 0.89) was discovered between chest girth and body weight. In the Ayacucho region, there are various creole goat biotypes range from light to very compact heavy goats, with a predominance of meat biotype animals, as well as a marked size dimorphism between localities of origin.

Genetic diversity in creole pigs in south central Peru.

The creole pigs represent 67% of the national population in Peru. They are a source of economic income in rural communities, and due to their rusticity, they are not much labor demanding. However, knowledge about its genetic diversity remains scarce. The objective of this study was to determine the population structure and genetic diversity of creole pigs from rural communities in south central Peru. Thirteen microsatellites were used to characterize 120 creole pigs from the departments of Ayacucho (57) and Apurimac (63). The samples were taken from hair follicles and ear tissue. Nine microsatellites were highly polymorphic and informative (PIC > 0.5) for both departments. The Ayacucho population had a mean number of alleles (MNA) and expected heterozygosity (HE) of 8.8 and 0.68, respectively, while in the Apurimac population, these were 8.9 and 0.71, respectively. Both populations showed in less than 50% of their loci a deviation from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. There was a moderate genetic structure according to the analysis of molecular variance and the FST statistics (0.06), which was corroborated by Bayesian methods. In conclusion, the genetic diversity was mostly due to the intrapopulation variance (91%). Some individuals from Ayacucho shared similar alleles with those from Apurimac. This latter result may be due to their geographic proximity and the introduction of the same new exotic breeds. This is the first research on the genetic diversity of creole pigs in south central Peru. In fact, this study could serve as a basis for conservation strategies and actions in this region.

A New View on the Late Pleistocene Lithic Remains from Pikimachay Cave, South Central Peru

Between 1966 and 1972, Richard MacNeish led the “Ayacucho Archaeological-Botanical Project” in the Ayacucho Basin, south-central Peru. Over the last decade, we reappraised the lithics recovered in this endeavor. As part of this research, we carried out a detailed review of the lithic remains from the lowest strata of Pikimachay Cave. We concluded that the lithics from layers tentatively dated at about 14,000 uncalibrated yr BP are human-made artifacts, while those from the underlying levels are not. Because of the anthropic nature of the flaked artifacts, their stratigraphic position, chronology, and similarities with other likely coeval lithic assemblages, the Pikimachay record seems to be a good candidate for witnessing possible Paleoamerican foragers living in Ayacucho during the Late Pleistocene.

Uncovering species boundaries through qualitative and quantitative morphology in the genus Dasyprocta (Rodentia, Caviomorpha), with emphasis in D. punctata and D. variegata

Abstract The genus Dasyprocta Illiger, 1811 includes at least 13 species of medium-sized caviomorph rodents, widely distributed from Mexico to northern Argentina. Despite being abundant, largely diurnal, and easily identifiable by their external traits, the taxonomy of this genus remains poorly understood. In this work, we reviewed the taxonomy of Dasyprocta along the Andes and adjoining lowland areas of the western Neotropics, including samples from Mexico to northern Argentina, with emphasis on two species largely confounded—sometimes considered as synonyms—during the last century: D. punctata Gray, 1842 and D. variegata Tschudi, 1845. In the construction of our taxonomic hypotheses, we use a purely morphological approach, emphasizing qualitative and quantitative cranial features and external traits (color patterns). The results of multivariate statistical analysis and differences in color patterns support the species-level validity of D. punctata and D. variegata. Within this latter nominal form, we also include those populations from northern Argentina and eastern Bolivia that recently were referred to D. azarae. Based on our results, D. punctata (including bellula, callida, candelensis, chiapensis, chocoensis, colombiana, dariensis, isthmica, nuchalis, richmondi, underwoodi, yucatanica, and zuliae) extends from southern Mexico to Colombia, Ecuador, northernmost Peru, and western Venezuela, while D. variegata (including azarae, boliviae, and yungarum) is distributed from south–central Peru and southwestern Brazil to Bolivia and northwestern Argentina.

Modeling the Pacific chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) ecological niche and future scenarios in the northern Peruvian Current System

To understand and characterize the Pacific chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) spatiotemporal distribution in the northern Peruvian Current System, this study characterized the ecological niche using the minimum volume ellipsoid (MVE) approach considering two meteorological conditions jointly: El Niño (EN) and La Niña (LN). For this purpose, the species presence records collected by the Peruvian onboard observer program from 1997 to 2018 were used. All presence records were matched with the date (day/month/year) and location (longitude, latitude) of the corresponding oceanographic variables (sea surface temperature [SST], sea surface salinity [SSS], chlorophyll, and oxygen). Also, the future projected climate change effects on chub mackerel spatiotemporal distribution under Representative Concentration Pathway (RCP) 4.5 and 8.5 scenarios by mid- (2040–2050) and end‐of‐the‐century (2090–2100) were investigated. Ellipsoid evaluations demonstrated that models calibrated with SST and SSS had good performance. Projections for EN conditions predicted areas with high environmental suitability close and along the Peruvian coast. Contrastingly, during LN these areas were extended to the oceanic zone. The projected future scenarios showed that for the RCP 4.5 scenario, environmental suitability maps were similar to those found in LN but with persistent distribution in south-central Peru. For the RCP 8.5 scenario, habitats tended to be coastal. Based on climate refugia –areas where the bulk of the species may aggregate under future environmental change with the potential to re-expand once the stress abates–, the RCP 4.5 scenario did not show changes in the hotspots; conversely, the RCP 8.5 scenario predicted a reduction of around 47% of hotspots from 2040–2050 to 2090–2100 at 10° S-18° S. Finally, the consideration of extreme conditions (EN and LN) in model calibration can potentially generate models with good performance allowing to better characterize species niche when the data is restricted by political boundaries. Nevertheless, further testing must be performed to assert this idea.

The Miocene stratigraphy of the Laberinto area (Río Ica Valley) and its bearing on the geological history of the East Pisco Basin (south-central Peru)

Global sea-level changes and substantial vertical displacement along the Monte Grande Fault (MGF) in the lower Río Ica Valley of south-central Peru influenced the accumulation of bioclast-bearing and diatom-bearing Miocene siliciclastic sediments in an area of the East Pisco forearc basin (EPB) colloquially known as Laberinto. Two depositional hiatuses in the Laberinto area (~17–14 Ma, ~12.5–10 Ma) manifest as sediment-filled erosional depressions a few kilometers in breadth. Erosion of the older depression was preceded by an ~18-Ma massive debris flow, possibly triggered by motion on the MGF causing lower Miocene lithoclastic olistoliths of up to two hundred meters length to spill off the footwall block. Sediment shed from the same footwall block may have formed previously recognized early Miocene deltas. From 14 to 13 Ma, the older depression filled with sediments herein assigned to the provisionally named Laberinto, Pampa, and Naranja members of the Pisco Formation, the latter member being characterized by marine delta foreset beds. The three members are at least partly correlative with the Pisco-0 sequence of the Pisco Formation. The younger depression was overrun at 10 Ma by debris flows of lithoclastic and granitic cobbles and boulders, then filled with diatomaceous silty sand with 5-m-sized lithoclastic olistoliths. The two lithologies constitute the provisionally named Mature Formation. Radiometric and newly revised biochronological data from throughout the EPB coupled with new diatom data from the Laberinto area have provided new insights into the correlation of sequences within the Chilcatay and Pisco formations and the interaction of local and basin-wide tectonism and global eustatic sea-level events across the basin.

Reliable classification of intentional cranial vault modification and nonsynostotic deformational plagiocephaly using 3D geometric morphometrics.

The style and degree of cranial vault modification (CVM) can have a significant impact on the reliability of assigning crania into operational categories and correlates. These issues can, in turn, influence the interpretation of cultural practices in the archaeological record. If we intend to deploy head shape as a meaningful unit of analysis to address issues of anthropological significance, we need a reliable way to demarcate discrete categories. Here we employ 3D geometric morphometrics to study head shape variation and improve classification accuracy. The present study rendered 3D models of 52 crania (8 unmodified, 44 modified annular) affiliated with the prehispanic Chanka Culture (AD 1000-1400) of south-central Peru. A combination of landmarks and semi-landmarks captured the shape and curves of sampled crania. Principal components analysis (PCA) revealed clusters of shape categories, and agglomerative hierarchical cluster analysis quantified the spectrum of variation. Our methods found four categories of circumferential head shape: annular erect, annular oblique, unmodified, and a new operational category termed slight. This last category was most prone to misclassification through gross inspection. We argue that differences in head shape are due to diverse modes of babywearing and childcare in the late prehistoric Andes. This study provides 3D geometric morphometric techniques that can help alleviate some of the classification errors that have long confounded practicing bioarchaeologists.

PXRF Sourcing of Obsidian from Pallaucha, Vilcashuaman: Insights into Exchange Patterns in South-Central Peru during the Early Horizon

Recent archaeological research demonstrates that the south-central highlands was a region of important sociocultural developments during the Early Horizon (ca. 800-200 BC). One reason for the prominence of this region was the local availability of obsidian, a widely exchanged lithic material. In this paper, we discuss the results of a portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) sourcing study of a sample of 26 obsidian artifacts from the site of Pallaucha, an Early Horizon civic ceremonial center located near Vilcashuaman in the Department of Ayacucho, Peru. PXRF analysis demonstrates that the Quispisisa source was the most commonly exploited locality to acquire obsidian at Pallaucha even though other sources were in closer proximity. Our results complement the results of a study of a large sample of obsidian from the nearby, and partially contemporary, civic-ceremonial center of Campanayuq Rumi.

Species status of Colias misti (Pieridae: Coliadinae) from the Arequipa region, South Peru, and a description of its new subspecies, from Cotahuasi canyon, South-Central Peru.

A new species of the genus Colias Fabricius from the Arequipa region of Peru, C. misti Kir'yanov sp. nov., stat. nov., is established by raising it from the subspecies rank, C. lesbia misti Kir'yanov 2017. This taxonomic act is justified after detailed comparison of C. misti with representatives of phenotypically similar other South American Colias, including the subspecies of C. lesbia. The newly presented taxa are diagnosed by adult morphology, bionomics, and male genitalia. The diagnosis of a new subspecies Colias misti ccota Kir'yanov ssp. nov., discovered in the World's deepest canyon Cotahuasi (Peru), is based on different and stable characters in phenotypes, genitalia, and bionomics of C. misti ccota and C. misti misti. Both subspecies of C. misti are endemic to the Western slopes of the Andes. It is also demonstrated that the shape of the male aedeagus is diagnostic for a reliable identification of the South American Colias.

Reconstructing diet and mobility using multi-isotopic analysis in Apurimac, Peru (~ AD 880–1260)

The unraveling of the Wari Empire circa AD 1000 is marked by violent political upheaval and climate change. Such social, economic, and environmental disruptions are often accompanied by significant shifts in human diet and mobility in affected populations. We examine diachronic change through isotopic analysis of human remains from an early burial site (Turpo; AD 880–990) and three later sites (Cachi, Ranracancha, and Pucullu; ~ AD 1100–1260), all from the Apurimac highlands of south central Peru. Carbon, oxygen, and strontium from tooth enamel are used to explore changes in diet and mobility in 43 sampled individuals. Due to the tumultuous transition and increased violence that occurred as Wari influence waned, we expect to see visible shifts in dietary and mobility patterns between individuals sampled from earlier and later sites. Specifically, we hypothesized that populations at later sites would exhibit a wider dietary spread, a more circumscribed use of water, and an increased degree of mobility as mechanisms for dealing with changing social, political, and environmental factors. These changes would also be reflected in individual isotope profiles, with the hypothesized changes at the later sites revealed through increased standard deviation of carbon isotope values, decreased standard deviation of oxygen isotope values, and the presence of outlier strontium isotope values, as compared with the values from the earlier site. Results support the argument that human diet and movement were affected by the political, social, and environmental upheavals that marked this key transition period in Andean history from the Middle Horizon (~ AD 600–1000) to the Late Intermediate Period (~ AD 1000–1450).

A RESPONSE TO THE COMMENTARY BY KAREN OLSEN BRUHNS, WILLIAM E. BROOKS, AND DEBORAH TRUHAN ON “ECUADORIAN CINNABAR AND THE PREHISPANIC TRADE IN VERMILION PIGMENT: VIABLE HYPOTHESIS OR RED HERRING?”

Our LAQ paper concluded that cinnabar pigment found by archaeologists in northern Peru was produced at Huancavelica in south-central Peru. In contrast, Bruhns and her colleagues suggest the mines near Azogues in southern Ecuador were an important cinnabar source for prehispanic Ecuador and Peru. In their commentary, they introduce new historic and geologic information to support their view, but a critical analysis demonstrates that it does not undermine our conclusions.

A Remarkable New Genus and Species of Ghost Moth from Peru (Lepidoptera: Exoporia: Hepialidae)

ABSTRACT A new genus and species of a large ghost moth (Lepidoptera, Exoporia, Hepialidae) is described from south—central Peru based on a single pair of adults, male and female. Viridigigas ciseskii, new genus, new species, is recorded from two locations along the eastern versant of the Amazonian Andes. Its phylogenetic position within the Hepialidae is currently inconclusive with some features suggestive of affinity with two other genera, Puermytrans Viette, 1951 (Chile), and Phassodes Bethune-Baker, 1905 (Fiji). The forewing pattern is distinct from all other Hepialidae, consisting of green with numerous sub-circular dark brown to yellowish—brown spots of irregular shape enclosed by up to three concentric dark brown lines. In the male a prominent scent gland is present at the base of the fore wing and the metatibia support well-developed, elongate androconia.

Ecuadorian Cinnabar and the Prehispanic Trade in Vermilion Pigment: Viable Hypothesis or Red Herring?

Cinnabar ore is the source of a bright red pigment (mercury [II] sulfide, HGS), a substance that was highly valued in the Central Andes during prehispanic times. It is traditionally believed to come from Huancavelica in south-central Peru, although some scholars have argued that a prehispanic cinnabar source existed at Azogues near Cuenca in southern Ecuador. It has also been suggested that the cinnabar recovered at archaeological sites in northern Peru such as Baton Grande may have come from this putative Ecuadorian source. In this article, the historical and archaeological evidence supporting this position is evaluated and found to be insufficient to sustain the Ecuadorian Cinnabar Hypothesis. Moreover, recent mercury isotope analysis of archaeological samples from northern Peru supports the earlier hypothesis that the source of the bright red pigment, sometimes referred to as vermilion, was cinnabar ore mined in Huancavelica. This source is located over 850 km to the south of archaeological sites such as Batdn Grande, Chongoyape, and Pacopampa.

Vocal and Molecular Phylogenetic Evidence for Recognition of a Thistletail Species (Furnariidae:Asthenes) Endemic to the Elfin Forests of Ayacucho, Peru

ABSTRACT The Andean Cordillera is notable for numerous centers of avian endemism along its great length. Yet, the narrow band of humid montane forest in eastern Ayacucho in south-central Peru is not known to harbor endemic bird species despite its position between two putative biogeographic barriers: the arid Apurimac and Mantaro river valleys. We report the first documented records of the endemic Ayacucho subspecies of Vilcabamba Thistletail, Asthenes vilcabambae ayacuchensis since its initial discovery and collection in 1968–1970. Unexpectedly, the previously unknown song of A. v. ayacuchensis is more similar to Eye-ringed Thistletail Asthenes palpebralis of Junin Department than to nominate A. v. vilcabambae of western Cuzco Department. Phylogenetic analyses of DNA sequences reinforce vocal evidence, and support that A. v. ayacuchensis is more closely related to A. palpebralis and the Rusty-fronted Canastero A. ottonis than to A. v. vilcabambae. Based on distinct vocalizations, phylogeny, and diagnosab...

Pataraya: The Archaeology of a Wari Outpost in Nasca

The research reported in this article explores Wari imperial strategies in the upper Nasca Valley of south-central Peru and, building on previous research, documents the flexibility and diversity of those strategies. The focus of these investigations is the site of Pataraya, a small Wari provincial outpost, and its environs. Despite its size, the rectangular enclosure at Pataraya is well planned and conforms to the canons of Wari state architecture documented at other Wari provincial sites. The site was founded early in the Middle Horizon (A.D. 650-1000) and then abandoned during the collapse of the Wari system. Extensive excavation at this condensed version of the Wari building tradition—over 60 percent—uncovered a pattern of spatially segregated use and access within the enclosure. Activities were relegated to specific patio groups with little replication of function, and the sectors themselves were connected by an astonishingly complex system of narrow corridors. The site appears to have been involved in the transfer of coastal products, especially cotton, to the sierra along an ancient road that is also associated with another much larger Wari compound and with the reorganization of an older local site near modern-day Uchuymarca, both of which were also documented during the project.

Satellite imagery reveals new critical habitat for Endangered bird species in the high Andes of Peru

ESR Endangered Species Research Contact the journal Facebook Twitter RSS Mailing List Subscribe to our mailing list via Mailchimp HomeLatest VolumeAbout the JournalEditorsSpecials ESR 13:145-157 (2011) - DOI: https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00323 Satellite imagery reveals new critical habitat for Endangered bird species in the high Andes of Peru Phred M. Benham1, Elizabeth J. Beckman1, Shane G. DuBay1, L. Mónica Flores2, Andrew B. Johnson1, Michael J. Lelevier1, C. Jonathan Schmitt1, Natalie A. Wright1, Christopher C. Witt1,* 1Museum of Southwestern Biology and Department of Biology, University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87110, USA 2Centro de Ornitologia y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI), Urb. Huertos de San Antonio, Surco, Lima, Peru *Corresponding author. Email: cwitt@unm.edu ABSTRACT: High-resolution satellite imagery that is freely available on Google Earth provides a powerful tool for quantifying habitats that are small in extent and difficult to detect by medium-resolution Landsat imagery. Relictual Polylepis forests of the high Andes are of critical importance to several globally threatened bird species, but, despite growing international attention to Polylepis conservation, many gaps remain in our knowledge of its distribution. We examined high-resolution satellite imagery in Google Earth to search for new areas of Polylepis in south-central Peru that potentially support Polylepis-specialist bird species. In central Apurímac an extensive region of high-resolution satellite imagery contained 127 Polylepis fragments, totaling 683.15 ha of forest ranging from 4000 to 4750 m a.s.l. Subsequent fieldwork confirmed the presence of mature Polylepis forest and all 6 Polylepis-specialist bird species, 5 of which are considered globally threatened. Our findings (1) demonstrate the utility of Google Earth for applied conservation and (2) suggest improved prospects for the persistence of the Polylepis-associated avifauna. KEY WORDS: Satellite imagery · Google Earth · High Andes · Polylepis forest · Habitat conservation · Cinclodes aricomae · Leptasthenura xenothorax · Anairetes alpinus Full text in pdf format PreviousNextCite this article as: Benham PM, Beckman EJ, DuBay SG, Flores LM. LM and others (2011) Satellite imagery reveals new critical habitat for Endangered bird species in the high Andes of Peru. Endang Species Res 13:145-157. https://doi.org/10.3354/esr00323 Export citation Mail this link - Contents Mailing Lists - RSS Facebook - Tweet - linkedIn Cited by Published in ESR Vol. 13, No. 2. Online publication date: February 16, 2011 Print ISSN: 1863-5407; Online ISSN: 1613-4796 Copyright © 2011 Inter-Research.

Lizards from the end of the world: Phylogenetic relationships of the Liolaemus lineomaculatus section (Squamata: Iguania: Liolaemini)

The Liolaemus lineomaculatus section is a geographically widely distributed group of lizards from the Patagonian region of southern South America, and includes 18 described species representing the most southerly distributed Liolaemus taxa (the genus includes 228 species and extends from Tierra del Fuego north to south-central Peru). Despite high species diversity, the phylogenetic relationships of this section are unknown. In the present work we sampled all described species in the L. lineomaculatus section as well as currently undescribed candidate species to reconstruct the first complete phylogenetic hypothesis for the clade. Our data set included four anonymous nuclear loci, three nuclear protein-coding loci, and two mitochondrial genes. We compared results obtained with three different phylogenetic methods for the concatenated data set (Maximum Parsimony, Maximum Likelihood and Bayesian Inference) with a coalescent-based species tree approach (BEST), and recovered congruent, strongly-supported topological arrangements across all methods. We identified four main clades within the L. lineomaculatus section: the lineomaculatus, magellanicus, somuncurae, and kingii + archeforus groups, for which we estimated divergence times. We discuss the taxonomic implications of these results and how the future integration of phylogeographic, niche modeling and morphological approaches will allow testing biogeographical hypotheses in this clade.

&lt;i&gt;Navidad en los Andes: arpa, comparsas y zapateo en San Francisco de Querco, Huancavelica&lt;/i&gt; (review)

Reviewed by: Navidad en los Andes: arpa, comparsas y zapateo en San Francisco de Querco, Huancavelica Michelle Wibbelsman Claude Ferrier. Navidad en los Andes: arpa, comparsas y zapateo en San Francisco de Querco, Huancavelica. Instituto de Etnomusicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú y CH-EM Swiss Society for Ethnomusicology. 2008. 160 pages. Bibliography, musical transcriptions, black and white diagrams and photos, maps, DVD. ISBN: 978-603-45070-2-9. It is such a pleasure to review a book that I can recommend without reservations. Based on extensive research and written in a style that is accessible and informative, Navidad en los Andes: arpa, comparsas y zapateo en San Francisco de Querco, Huancavelica by Claude Ferrier is an important addition to the ethnographic series published by the Instituto de Etnomusicología, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú, and to research on the Andes more generally. In this book, Claude Ferrier delivers incisive observations and analysis of Peruvian festival practices at the intersection of the Christian tradition of Christmas and the pre-Hispanic Qhapaq Raymi, observed throughout the central Peruvian Andes. Navidad en los Andes centers on a representation of the Christmas tradition in Querco, in south-central Peru, and offers a critical portrayal of historical continuity and change of the fiesta. The narrative oscillates masterfully between past and present via historical information and contemporary ethnographic observation, allowing Ferrier to expose syncretic processes centered on the convergence and simultaneity of shared symbolism in the festival. Among the book’s many strengths is Ferrier’s sensitivity to performance aesthetics and his attention to a conceptual framework that brings together musical analysis and Andean symbolism to reveal persistent elements of Andean cosmology reflected in musical technique, melodic lines, and rhythm of the festival repertoire. Ethnomusicologists, anthropologists, historians, and a variety of humanities and social sciences scholars will surely find Navidad en los Andes a useful book for continuing research and classroom implementation. I look forward to an English translation that will extend readership of this important study and allow for a broader integration of Ferrier’s analysis in scholarly debates. The book is divided into eight chapters. The first few chapters situate Querco within the physical geography, history, and community politics of [End Page 294] the Andean highlands and offer a description of the Christmas tradition and a detailed perspective on the musical technique and choreography of the event. Latter chapters contextualize the fiesta within the social dynamics of Querco and consider recent changes the tradition has undergone because of mass migration to the coastal town of Ica and other factors that have influenced performance aesthetics. Helpful photos, maps, figures, and musical transcriptions accompany the text. I appreciated the full transcription of song lyrics and recitations throughout the book, and musical transcriptions in the appendix, which I think scholars will find useful for comparison to other Andean musical traditions. Perhaps one of the most important complements to the book is the accompanying DVD with footage of field recordings that capture the music and dances within the context of community decision making, participation, and social interaction. Beyond illustrating examples referenced in the book, the DVD provides glimpses into other important aspects of the culture not necessarily articulated in the narrative—for instance, the ways by which children are socialized into participation in the tradition and the aesthetics of the dance from a very early age; the subtleties of interaction among the genders and generations; extended interviews with locals regarding their experiences and memories of Querco and of the celebration as it was observed in the past; and rich details of the way people enter and exit, participate, and perform within the festival space. Clips on the DVD, moreover, are a perfect length for use in classroom contexts. Ferrier’s bibliography is also worthy of attention since it brings North American, Latin American, and European scholarship into productive dialogue. Ferrier tells us that Querco receives little tourism and that the Christmas tradition has typically been a production for locals by locals, although in recent years things are changing. Readers are situated immediately within a complex political hybrid system and organization where Quechua and Western systems coexist. Those working in other parts of the Andes...