The amphibian genus Telmatobius is a diverse group of species that inhabits the Andes. This study analysed the phylogenetic relationships of 19 species described from the central Andes of Chile and Bolivia, and 12 undescribed populations of Chile. A molecular phylogeny based on mitochondrial DNA 16S and cytochrome b shows that the Chilean species belong to three groups: (1) the Telmatobius marmoratus group, widespread in the Chilean and Bolivian Altiplano; (2) the Telmatobius hintoni group, including the species Telmatobius philippii, Telmatobius fronteriensis, and Telmatobius huayra, occurring in the south‐western Altiplano of Chile and Bolivia, and (3) the Telmatobius zapahuirensis group, a new clade which also includes Telmatobius chusmisensis, Telmatobius dankoi, and Telmatobius vilamensis, restricted to western slopes of the Andes, and which was recovered as more closely related to the T. hintoni group than the T. marmoratus group. The divergence times between clades were traced to the late Pleistocene. The molecular phylogeny also confirmed that the groups of the Altiplano and western Andes slopes form a clade separated from the species that inhabit the eastern Andes (Telmatobius verrucosus and Telmatobius bolivianus groups), supporting the forest origin of the Altiplano groups proposed by several previous authors. © 2014 The Linnean Society of London

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Most seed-predation studies have evaluated pre- or post-dispersal predation separately, in one or a few species. Assessments of the overall importance of pre- v. post-dispersal seed predation at the community level are generally lacking. Here, we quantify levels of pre and post-dispersal seed predation in >25 plant species in a mediterranean-type climate montane forest in central Chile in two periods of study (1995–1996 and 1997–1998). Almost all species analysed suffered at least some seed losses to pre-dispersal and/or post-dispersal seed predation. However, among species, magnitudes of both pre- and post-dispersal seed predation proved highly variable, ranging between 0 and 100% and exceeding 50% in five and nine species, respectively. High inter-annual variability in both pre- and post-dispersal seed predation, at both the species and overall community levels, was observed, with only a small number of species suffering large losses during both periods of study. At the overall community level, percentage seed losses to pre-dispersal predation were not significantly different from those experienced in the postdispersal phase. Rodents were the most important seed removers in seven species. However, the three groups of granivores analysed (rodents, birds and insects) were similar in their importance as post-dispersal predators in most plant species. Groups of species suffering similar levels of seed losses to pre- or post-dispersal predators did not share any particular seed characteristics, suggesting that differences in the seed traits studied seem to be relatively unimportant in determining variation in seed predation.

Liolaemus barbarae is a small liolaemid lizard (SVL: 56 mm) endemic to the high Andes of northern Chile. Diet and prey availability were assessed during three seasons of activity (spring 2003, summer 2004, autumn 2004) in order to determine patterns of prey consumption and eventual selection. Liolaemus barbarae was strictly insectivorous preying on fl ying and epigeous insects, mainly chinch bugs (Lygaeidae) and ants. Prey types were consumed in diff erent proportions than available in the environment. Th e selection for Lygaeidae, the most frequent prey consumed, was inversely correlated with their availability suggesting a nutrient-optimization strategy. Ants acted as complementary prey but they were less consumed than available. Despite the harsh environmental conditions, this Andean lizard seems able to fulfi l its trophic requirements, its annual diet being less variable than the seasonal fl uctuations of insects in the environment.

En este estudio se caracterizó la fauna de reptiles presentes en el Monumento Natural El Morado, Región Metropolitana, Chile. Se encontraron seis especies (cuatro lagartijas y dos culebras), cuyas abundancias fueron: Liolaemus moradoensis (40,9%), L. nigroviridis (37,7%), L. valdesianus (17,1%), L. nitidus (2,7%), Tachymenis chilensis (1,2%) y Philodryas chamissonis (0,4%). A pesar del estrecho rango altitudinal estudiado (cerca de 600 m), las distintas especies presentaron diferentes patrones de distribución: L. nitidus se encontró sólo en el piso altitudinal más bajo (menor a 1.900 msnm), mientras que L. moradoensis y L. valdesianus se encuentran sobre los 2.150 msnm (alcanzando esta última especie los 2.450 msnm, con lo que se amplía el rango altitudinal conocido). La especie que ocupó un mayor rango de altitud fue L. nigroviridis, presente entre los 1.850 a los 2.350 msnm. En cuanto a la preferencia por rocas de distinto tamaño, L. moradoensis mostró preferencia por rocas entre 30 a 60 cm. L. nigroviridis prefirió en alopatía rocas entre 30 a 120 cm, y cambió su preferencia a rocas entre 30 a 60 cm cuando se encuentra en sintopía con L. valdesianus; esta última prefirió rocas mayores a 90 cm. En términos de uso del nicho: para el eje del nicho tamaño de rocas, L. nigroviridis se sobrepone a L. moradoensis, especie que tiene un nicho más estrecho, mientras que L. valdesianus tiene un nicho no sobrepuesto, a mayor tamaño de rocas. Es interesante destacar un desplazamiento del nicho en L. nigroviridis, la única especie que se estudió en diferentes contextos de sintopía. Factores asociados a requerimientos termorregulatorios y probablemente la reducción de presiones competitivas podrían dar cuenta de los resultados observados.