Estado poblacional del orden Plecoptera (Insecta) en el Parque Nacional Sierra Nevada en Venezuela y sus implicaciones para planes de conservación

Abstract

Longitudinal distribution of Plecoptera species were exam-ined along the Sierra Nevada National Park in the Andean region of Merida State, venezuela. PNSN is one of the largest protected areas and consists of two major sub-basins. Quantitative samples were collected in 7 river tributaries along the PNSN from February to May of 2009, and a total of 135 individuals and 4 species of the genus Anacroneuria were collected. Only three rivers (Nuestra Señora, La Picón y Corcovada) found the pres-ence of stoneflies, the principal component analysis show that the characterization of habitat, current velocity, dissolved oxygen and the absence of human disturbance sources of influence in a suitable habitat for popula-tions. Stoneflies are endangered or have become extinct throughout much of its range due to human activities. Conservation plans must be implemented urgently, in order to avoid recreational areas and/or economic in vicin-ity thereof.