Alpacas, important genetic resources in the Andean region of Peru, are vulnerable to diarrhea caused by pathogenic parasites such as Eimeria lamae and Giardia sp., which can be fatal, especially in neonates, due to their physiological immaturity and limited adaptability. The study investigated the diversity and abundance of intestinal fungi and protists in alpacas infected with Eimeria lamae and Giardia sp. compared to healthy alpacas. A total of 19 alpacas, aged between one and two months, were included. They were divided into two groups, one with pathological conditions (nine) and the other healthy (ten). Parasitological analyses for the detection of parasites and subsequent molecular analysis were performed on the collected fecal samples. The results revealed a greater diversity and abundance of protists in infected alpacas in comparison with healthy alpacas, while the fungal composition did not show significant changes. Therefore, parasitic infections affect the protist component of the alpaca gut microbiota. Also, it was observed that Blastocystis was identified in all healthy alpacas, serving as a possible marker of the health of the intestinal microbiota; in addition, Prussia and Pichia are beneficial fungi that help control diseases. This groundbreaking study in neonatal alpacas is the first to explore potential changes in the intestinal microbiota during an infectious state, underscoring the importance of further research to comprehend its effects on alpaca health and immune responses.

La cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) es un pseudocereal originario de los Andes, especialmente cultivado en países como Perú y Bolivia. Por lo que el objetivo de la investigación fue evaluar el rendimiento de diez variedades de cañihua (Chenopodium pallidicaule) provenientes de la estación experimental Agraria ILLPA – Puno, en las condiciones agroecológicas del Campo Experimental Accopampa, perteneciente a la Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco, a una altitud de 3750 msnm. El estudio se realizó durante la campaña agrícola de octubre de 2018 a abril de 2019, utilizando un diseño de 4 bloques, distribuyendo al azar las 10 variedades de cañihua en un total de 40 unidades experimentales, organizadas aleatoriamente. Se evaluaron las variedades Pitojiura, K’ello, Puca, Chilliwa, Cupi, entre otras. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas (?<0,05) en el rendimiento de grano por hectárea. Las variedades Pitojiura (976,1 kg/ha), K’ello (913,7 kg/ha), Chilliwa Rosada (886,8 kg/ha) y Puca (869,8 kg/ha) obtuvieron los mejores rendimientos, mientras que Cupi (477,4 kg/ha) y Toncco q’ello (684,2 kg/ha) presentaron los menores. Cupi mostró un rendimiento 50% menor que Pitojiura. Los resultados obtenidos pueden ser utilizados en la selección de variedades de Cañihua.

This study explores the intestinal microbiota of eight 18-month-old male alpacas from two distinct high-altitude regions in Peru: the Wet Puna (4200 m above sea level) and the Dry Puna (4900 m above sea level). Using 16S rRNA and 18S rRNA metabarcoding, microbial communities of bacteria, archaea, fungi, and protists were analyzed from the first compartment of the stomach (C1) to investigate the diversity, taxonomic composition, and correlations with hematological parameters. Significant differences in microbial diversity and composition were observed between regions, driven by dietary and environmental factors. The Wet Puna exhibited greater alpha diversity in bacterial and fungal communities, while beta diversity highlighted distinct microbial compositions. Key taxa, such as Prevotella ruminicola and Acetitomaculum, were associated with energy metabolism and host adaptation, whereas methanogenic archaea (Methanobrevibacter, Methanosphaera) dominated in the Dry Puna, reflecting adaptations to arid conditions. Correlations between microbial taxa and hematological variables, such as Acetitomaculum with red blood cell count and Eremoplastron with neutrophil percentage, emphasize the complex interplay between microbiota and host physiology. These findings contribute to understanding microbial adaptations in high-altitude livestock and provide practical insights for enhancing alpaca management and conservation strategies through tailored nutritional approaches and sustainable grazing practices.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial roles in regulating tissue-specific gene expression and plant development. This study explores the identification and functional characterization of miRNAs in Plukenetia volubilis (sacha inchi), an economically and nutritionally significant crop native to the Amazon basin, across three organs: root, stem, and leaf. Methods: Small RNA libraries were sequenced on the Illumina Novaseq 6000 platform, yielding high-quality reads that facilitated the discovery of known and novel miRNAs using miRDeep-P. Results: A total of 277 miRNAs were identified, comprising 71 conserved and 206 novel miRNAs, across root, stem, and leaf tissues. In addition, differential expression analysis using DESeq2 identified distinct miRNAs exhibiting tissue-specific regulation. Notably, novel miRNAs like novel_1, novel_88, and novel_189 showed significant roles in processes such as auxin signaling, lignin biosynthesis, and stress response. Functional enrichment analysis of miRNA target genes revealed pathways related to hormonal regulation, structural reinforcement, and environmental adaptation, highlighting tissue-specific functions. The Principal Component Analysis and PERMANOVA confirmed clear segregation of miRNA expression profiles among tissues, underlining organ-specific regulation. Differential expression patterns emphasized unique regulatory roles in each organ: roots prioritized stress response and nutrient uptake, leaves focused on photosynthesis and UV protection, and stems contributed to structural integrity and nutrient transport, suggesting evolutionary adaptations in P. volubilis. Conclusions: This study identified novel miRNA-mediated networks that regulate developmental and adaptive processes in P. volubilis, underscoring its molecular adaptations for resilience and productivity. By characterizing both conserved and novel miRNAs, the findings lay a foundation for genetic improvement and molecular breeding strategies aimed at enhancing agronomic traits, stress tolerance, and the production of bioactive compounds.

El estudio tuvo como objetivo identificar bacterias anaeróbicas aisladas del compartimento 1 del tracto digestivo de las alpacas. Se obtuvieron 4 aislamientos del licor (LC1) y 9 de la pared del compartimento (PC1) de los tractos digestivos. Los aislamientos de LC1 se cultivaron en agar Anaeróbico de Brewer (BA), y los aislamientos de PC1 en BA suplementado con L-cisteína. Los aislamientos anaeróbicos fueron sometidos a identificación mediante observación microscópica y pruebas bioquímicas, seguidas de la extracción de ADN bacteriano total. La amplificación se realizó utilizando cebadores 27F-1492R en el gen 16S ARNr, y se secuenció utilizando el método Sanger con un analizador de ADN ABI PRISM 3730XL. El análisis bioinformático reveló que las cepas correspondientes a la especie de LC1 eran cuatro Streptococcus equinus y de PC1 eran nueve Streptococcus vicugnae. En el análisis filogenético, las cepas de Streptococcus equinus formaron un clado monofilético con un valor de Bootstrap de 100 y Streptococcus vicugnae con 88. Las cepas revelaron una naturaleza estrictamente anaeróbica, destacando la complejidad de la taxonomía del género Streptococcus y enfatizando la necesidad de futuras investigaciones para aclarar su clasificación taxonómica.