Abstract. Luque-Fernández CR. 2019. Diet and behavior of the burrowing owl (Athene cunicularia) in Atiquipa, an ecosystem of Lomas in the south of Peru. Biodiversitas 20: 137-143. The study of trophic and behavioral habits is a fundamental aspect in the knowledge of the natural history of species, especially for those that present a wide range of distribution and that have to adapt to the habitats and available resources that can find to survive. The diet and behavior of Athene cunicularia were studied in a peculiar ecosystem such as the lomas formation, on the arid coast of southern Peru. The analysis of regurgitated pellets from a family group of Athene cunicularia was used and complemented with the monitoring of behavior through the use of trap cameras and direct observations. The results show that the diet during the months of study was based on a high proportion of invertebrate beetles (Tenebrionidae) and scorpions, also finding remains of vertebrates, including rodents, birds and highlighting the presence of a species of marsupial mouse. On the study of behavior, marked and recurrent activities are established during the day for this species, where grooming sessions are frequently reported, as well as interaction with a possible predator of this owl species. These results contribute to the understanding of the trophic relationship and its role in the studied lomas ecosystem, which is added to the importance of this species in the conservation of diversity in desert ecosystems.
Las comunidades vegetales xerofíticas donde predomina Tillandsia, en los desiertos costeros de Perú y Chile, son dependientes de la neblina proveniente del océano pacífico, por lo que presentan, a su vez, características únicas que le permiten sobrevivir al singular ecosistema. La distribución de los tillandsiales en el sur de Perú fue evaluada mediante técnicas de teledetección, revisión de herbarios, textos especializados y exhaustivas salidas de campo, así mismo, se relacionó su presencia respecto a la altitud, pendiente y orientación. Se registra seis especies de Tillandsia, siendo las más comunes T. purpurea y T. capillaris, mientras que, T. latifolia, T. paleacea, T. landbeckii y T. werdermannii están restringidas a determinadas localidades. Los resultados muestran 94 parches de Tillandsia, repartidos en 10 localidades del sur de Perú, abarcando desde 15° 5' S hasta 18° 0' S, con una extensión aproximada de 467 km2. Las poblaciones se encuentran desde 450 hasta 1400 msnm y en cuanto a la pendiente y orientación, estos se localizan preferentemente a <8.5° y SO respectivamente. En cuanto a su conservación, actualmente estas comunidades se encuentran amenazadas principalmente por la presión antrópica, modificación de hábitat y el cambio climático.
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