Fishes of the Lagunas Encadenadas (province of Buenos Aires, Argentina), a wetland of international importance

Abstract

The Lagunas Encadenadas (36º 30' - 37° 30' S, 61° 00 - 63º 30' W) form a large endorheic wetland, i.e. the drainage líes in an enclosed basin. The wetland is situated in the south-west oí the Province oí Buenos Aires and has a total area oí nearly 58,000 hectares. The system comprises a d1ain oí five main lagoons (Alsina, Chocnicó, Del Monte, Del Venado, and Epecuen), distinguished by a well defined east-west gradient in salinity from fresh water to saline.