Unraveling Plecoptera Diversity in Two Protected Areas of Argentine Patagonia

A comprehensive study of stonefly (Plecoptera) diversity in Los Alerces and Nahuel Huapi National Parks, Argentine Patagonia, reveals significant variation in species distribution across ecoregions. The research identifies 19 species within a single polygon in Los Alerces, with the Northern Moist Forests hosting the highest richness, followed by Transitional Cypress-Beech Forests and the Ecotone Steppe-Forest. Cluster analyses show strong faunal affinities between these ecosystems, while richness estimators suggest up to 23 undocumented species remain undiscovered. This study underscores the critical role of national parks in conserving Patagonian biodiversity, providing foundational data for future conservation efforts and highlighting new taxa records, including southernmost distributions.

DUARTE, T., MARTIN, G. M., ANJOS-SANTOS, D., & PESSACQ, P. (2025). Unraveling Plecoptera Diversity in Two Protected Areas of Argentine Patagonia. Anais Da Academia Brasileira de Ciências, 97(1). https://doi.org/10.1590/0001-3765202520240085