Los Testigos

Los Testigos, also known as the Aparamán range, is a mountain chain in Bolívar, Venezuela.[1] It consists of four rather small tepuis, forming a bridge between the giant Auyán-tepui to the west and Ptari-tepui to the east. The four major peaks of Los Testigos are (west to east): Aparamán-tepui (2,100 m), Murisipán-tepui (2,350 m), Tereke-yurén-tepui (1,900 m), and Kamarkawarai-tepui (2,400 m), the latter three sharing a common slope area.[1] There however remains some confusion in the literature regarding the names of these peaks.[nb a]

For the archipelago, see Los Testigos Islands.
Los Testigos
Los Testigos is located in Venezuela
Los Testigos
Location in Venezuela
Highest point
PeakKamarkawarai-tepui
Elevation2,400 m (7,900 ft)
Geography
LocationBolívar, Venezuela
Range coordinates05°52′N 62°03′W

The Los Testigos chain has a total summit area of around 12 km2 (4.6 sq mi) and an estimated slope area of 116 km2 (45 sq mi) (the collective slope area of the three eastern tepuis being around 88 km2 (34 sq mi), with the isolated Aparamán-tepui contributing a further 28 km2 (11 sq mi)).[1] The chain is situated entirely within the bounds of Canaima National Park.[2]

In line with and to the west of the Los Testigos chain lies the Los Hermanos massif, which consists of two upland peaks: Amaruay-tepui and Padapué-tepui. Both massifs are located northeast of the Catholic mission at Kamarata.[1]

Panoramic view from Kavanayén in the Gran Sabana, looking northwards. The large forested ridge taking up much of the frame is Sororopán-tepui, with Ptari-tepui visible just behind. Moving left is Moná-tepui and then, off in the distance, the Los Testigos chain, beginning with Kamarkawarai-tepui.

See also

Notes
a.^ Otto Huber summarised this toponymic confusion as follows: "There is, however, confusion concerning the precise names of the two central mountains; according to Brewer-Carías (1978), Murochiopán-tepui is the name of a smaller lateral mountain of Aparamán, followed to the east by the high Tereke Yurén-tepui and the lower Tucuy-wo-cuyén-tepui, whereas members of the Terramar Foundation expeditions (Steyermark 1986a; Holst 1987; George 1988) apply the name Murisipán-tepui to Brewer's Tereke Yurén-tepui, and the name Tereke-yurén-tepui to Brewer's Tucuy-wo-cuyén-tepui, omitting the name of the smaller lateral mountain of Aparamán-tepui."[1] A yet different sequence (and spelling) of names can be found in, for example, the formal description of Heliamphora folliculata, namely: Murosipan, Aparaman, Tereke-Yuren, and Kamarkaiwaran.[3]

References
  1. Huber, O. (1995). Geographical and physical features. In: P.E. Berry, B.K. Holst & K. Yatskievych (eds.) Flora of the Venezuelan Guayana. Volume 1. Introduction. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis. pp. 1–61.
  2. (in Spanish) Torres, I.N. & D.D. Martín (November 2007). "Informe Final de la Evaluación del Parque Nacional Canaima, Venezuela, como Sitio de Patrimonio Natural de la Humanidad" (PDF). Mejorando Nuestra Herencia.
  3. Wistuba, A., P. Harbarth & T. Carow (December 2001). Heliamphora folliculata, a new species of Heliamphora (Sarraceniaceae) from the ‘Los Testigos’ table mountains in the south of Venezuela. Carnivorous Plant Newsletter 30(4): 120–125.

Further reading
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