Goat production in the dry forest of northern Peru is essential for rural livelihoods but remains poorly characterized regarding its productivity and sustainability. This study used multivariate techniques—a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA), principal component analysis (PCA), factor analysis of mixed data (FAMD), and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA)—to analyze data from 284 producers in Tumbes, Piura, and Lambayeque. Surveys captured 48 variables (41 qualitative, seven quantitative) on productivity, socioeconomics, and management. The MCA explained 22.07% of the variability in two dimensions, while the PCA accounted for 63.9%, focusing on productivity and diversification. The FAMD integrated these variables, explaining 51.12% of variability across five dimensions, emphasizing socioeconomic and management differences. The HCA identified three clusters: cluster 1 featured intensive systems with advanced management and commercial focus, cluster 2 included extensive systems limited by water scarcity, and cluster 3 reflected semi-intensive systems with irrigation and diversified production. These findings provide a detailed understanding of goat systems in northern Peru, identifying opportunities to improve resource use and tailor strategies to enhance sustainability. The multivariate analysis proved effective in capturing the complexity of these systems, supporting productivity and improving livelihoods in rural areas.

This study aimed to characterize the phaneroptic and morphometric traits of Creole goatsin Northwestern Peru. A total of 100 goats were evaluated for 19 phaneroptic and 24 morphometric variables, along with 15 zoometric indices. Descriptive statistics and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) were used to condense body index variables into uncorrelated components, potentially useful in selection programs. The feasibility of PCA was confirmed with the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin Measure and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity. Phaneroptic results revealed that most goats exhibit plain coats (53%) with mottled and patch patterns (13% each), with 60% showing horns (45% arched and 15% spiraling) and drooping ears (60%). Beards were present in 34% and wattles in 27%. Female teats tended to be divergent (74%), with 33.77% showing supernumerary teats. Morphometric indices indicated predominantly brevilinear, dolichocephalic, and mesoprosopic traits, with a convex linear pelvis. These traits highlight their suitability for meat production, demonstrated by body strength, depth, and width, indicating high potential for producing carcasses of various compactness levels. These findings provide valuable data on the adaptability and morphologicaldiversity of Creole goats, supporting future conservation and breeding efforts. of Creole goats , supporting future conservation and breeding efforts

Peruvian Creole goats (PCGs) represent a unique genetic resource shaped by adaptation to diverse environments and traditional breeding practices. In this study, we performed a genomic analysis of six regional populations (Ancash, Ica, Lambayeque, Lima, Piura, and Tumbes) using high-density SNP genotype data. Principal component analysis revealed a moderate genetic structure, with the Ica population showing clear separation and northern populations exhibiting overlap. Runs of homozygosity were predominantly short, and specific regions on chromosome 6 were shared across populations. Inbreeding coefficients were generally low, with Ancash showing the highest values. Linkage disequilibrium decayed rapidly over genetic distance, especially in Piura, indicating higher genetic diversity. Estimates of effective population size revealed decreasing trends across populations, with Piura maintaining the largest recent population size. These findings offer valuable insights into the population structure of Peruvian Creole goats, providing guidance for conservation and sustainable breeding efforts.

Creole goats have adapted to the harsh Andean environment, yet the physiological impacts of high-altitude production systems remain underexplored. This study assessed seasonal and dietary influences on the hematological and biochemical profiles of 45 Creole goats in the Peruvian Andes. The animals were assigned to three diets: D1 (grazing), D2 (grazing + 2000 g hay), and D3 (grazing + 400 g concentrate), across rainy and dry seasons. Biweekly blood sampling measured urea, cholesterol, total protein, albumin, ALP, ALT, WBCL, NeuP, LymP, HGB, and MCV. Season exerted the strongest influence (p < 0.001), with modest dietary effects and a consistent effect of sampling time. Urea, total protein, and albumin increased during the rainy season, though only urea responded significantly to diet. Leukocytosis rose in the dry season and with higher-protein diets, suggesting heightened immune activation under environmental stress. Hemoglobin peaked in the rainy season and early sampling, indicating better oxygenation. MCV and body weight were higher in the dry season, with weight unaffected by diet. These results underscore the complex interplay of environmental and nutritional factors in shaping goat physiology at high altitudes, emphasizing the importance of dynamic modeling in sustainable Andean livestock systems.

Introduction: Tithonia diversifolia, also known as Mexican sunflower, is a tropical shrub with high forage potential, but limited information exists on the optimal harvest stage to balance yield and nutritional value.Methods: A 3 × 3 factorial design was implemented under tropical dry forest conditions in northern Peru, combining three regrowth stages (30, 45, and 60 days) with three plant fractions (leaf, stem, and leaf–stem mixture), with four replicates per treatment. Agronomic traits, dry matter yield, proximate composition, and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) were evaluated.Results: Biomass yield increased significantly with harvest age, reaching 11.93 kg fresh weight and 3.45 kg dry matter per plant at 60 days, although with reduced nutritional quality due to a higher stem proportion. Leaves harvested at 30 days had the highest crude protein (16.5%) and soluble carbohydrates (48.2%) with the lowest crude fiber (19.3%). In contrast, the 45-day leaf samples achieved the highest IVDMD (62.34 ± 1.42%). A strong positive correlation was observed between leaf area and biomass yield (r = 0.93), and a moderate negative correlation with digestibility (r = –0.42).Discussion: Harvesting at 45 days provided the best compromise between biomass production and nutritional value. These findings highlight the potential of T. diversifolia as a strategic forage alternative for sustainable feeding systems in tropical dry environments.

Given their ability to attack and eliminate insects that impact various ecosystems, entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are considered effective biological pest control agents. However, there are few studies focused on their identification or their association with forest species such as the carob tree. The objective of the present study was to isolate and molecularly identify entomopathogenic nematodes from carob tree (Neltuma spp.) forests in Tumbes, Peru. One-kilogram soil samples were collected from ten localities located across four districts in the Tumbes region. In each soil sample, Galleria mellonella Linnaeus 1758 (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae were exposed as bait for the detection and isolation of EPNs. Exposure times were controlled at 12, 24, 48, 72, and 84-96 hours. The isolated nematodes were morphologically characterized, and their genomic DNA was extracted. The 18S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene was amplified via polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Six of the ten evaluated soils showed G. mellonella infection, with a positive correlation between exposure time and infection rate. However, due to marked infectivity divergences (where samples 02 and 06 exhibited the highest percentages), three representative strains were selectively isolated from soil samples 02, 05, and 06. Subsequent morphological characterization and molecular identification determined their taxonomic identity as Heterorhabditis bacteriophora and Heterorhabditis indica. This finding represents the first report of EPNs associated with carob tree plantations in northern Peru and highlights their pathogenic potential against insect larvae. It is recommended that the nematodes identified at the species level be considered in integrated pest management (IPM) programs.