SOIL MICROARTHROPODS ASSOCIATED TO ALTIPLANIC PLANT FORMATIONS I. ISLUGA NATIONAL PARK. CHILE

Abstract

The soil microarthropods from the altiplanic región were studied (Volcan Isluga National Park. I Región.
Chile). The sampling design was based on six different plant formations. Forty four soil samples were
taken at the base of plants on Bofedal, Pajonal, Tolar, Llaretal, Queñoal and Cardonal. The mean
altitude of the sites was 3900 mosl. The microarthropods were extracted by means of Berlese funnels,
classified into main taxonomic groups, at the supraspecific level and counted the individuáis in each
group. Between 5 to 14 such taxa were found in the different plant formations, mean densities are
given for each. The most abundant and frequent groups were Prostigmatid and Oribatid mites, the
former with significant higher densities in Pajonal and Llaretal and both present in all 6 plant formations.
The other soil taxa showed small abundances and sample frequencies. Queñoal an Cardonal showed
few taxa with little numbers of individuáis each.