The genetic origins and diversity of Creole sheep from five regions of Colombia were investigated based on mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variations across 89 sequences from five breeds: one wool Creole sheep (CL) and four hair Creole sheep, including Ethiopian (OPCE), Sudan (OPCS), Pelibuey (OPCP) and Wayúu (OPCW). A global comparison was done using 62 haplotypes from Iberian, African, Indian, Caribbean, Mexican, Caucasian and European sheep based on sequences retrieved from GenBank. This study aimed to identify the maternal origin of Colombian Creole sheep and their genetic relationships at a global level. The results showed 31 different haplotypes from Colombian Creole sheep, which can be assigned to maternal lineage B, the most common lineage found in European sheep breeds and the only one found in several Iberian breed (e.g., Churra, Spanish Merino) that most likely participated in the Creole formation. Additional analyses showed that wool and hair sheep retained a broad genetic identity despite being geographically separated. The global-level phylogenetic analysis revealed that Colombian Creole sheep belong to a distinct and defined genetic lineage that is likely the result of a founder effect with ecotypes of Iberian descent and the subsequent introduction of foreign breeds. This is consistent with historical reports on the presence of sheep in South America and, particularly, Colombia.

The genus Spiromastix consists of several fungal species that have been isolated from soil and animal dung in various parts of the world. However, these species are considered to be of low pathogenic potential, as no cases of infections caused by these fungi have been reported. Here, we describe the clinical course of discospondylitis in a dog from which a fungus was cultured from a biopsy and identified as a Spiromastix species by morphologic characteristics and sequencing. Phylogenetic analysis determined this to be a new species, Spiromastix asexualis, which is described, and a new order, Spiromastixales, is proposed.

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The creole melon cantaloupe is a horticultural species, whose fruits are used for human nutrition. However, no research has been reported on their genetic variability for starting breeding processes. The objective of this study was to take advantage of the variability of creole melons for genetic improvement. 20 creole melon half-sib families were selected and evaluated for production characteristics and fruit quality in order to obtain improved populations. The study was carried out in Palenque canton, Ecuador. Seeds from 20 half-sib families were used, arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. The differences between the families were significant for all the studied characteristics. Family 93 presented higher averages for fruit weight, fruit diameter and production (per hectare), and family 196 did so for soluble solids. The phenotypic correlations were positive and significant between the fruit weight and fruit diameter, fruit length, pulp thickness, fruit cavity, soluble solids and production. The coefficients of genetic variation, in general, were lower than the coefficients of environmental variation. The estimates of heritability broadly had a moderate magnitude (30-60%) for the 10 evaluated characteristics, and the magnitude of the expected genetic progress was low (<10%) for the fruit weight, production, and soluble solids, so the selection for high production should focus on fruit weight and soluble solids.