<p><strong>Ciliate protozoa of the forestomach of <em>llamas</em> (<em>Lama</em> <em>glama</em>) from locations </strong><br /><strong>at different altitude in Argentina</strong></p>

Abstract

This study describes the diversity and concentration of the protozoal population from the forestomach of llamas in Argentina at three altitudinal locations. Protozoal diversity was studied in samples from eight llamas from Hurlingham (Buenos Aires, 43 m altitude), four from Tilcara (Jujuy, 2465 m altitude) and six llamas from Cieneguillas (Jujuy, 3800 m altitude). The total concentrations of protozoa in the forestomach contents were 7.9, 9.1 and 4.1 cells x 10 4 ml -1 in Hurlingham, Tilcara and Cieneguillas, respectively (P>0.05). Entodinium spp. represented 97.9, 92.3 and 71.4% of the protozoal community in Hurlingham, Tilcara and Cieneguillas, respectively, and the remaining protozoa belonged to the Eudiplodinium genus. Entodinium spp. were identified as E. caudatum (mostly morphotype dubardi), E. longinucleatum, E. parvum, E. bovis, E. exiguum, E. dubardi, and a minor presence of E. bimastus (in three animals) and E. ovibos (in one animal). In regards to the rest of protozoal species, Eudiplodinium maggii is the first reported host record for the genus in llamas. This species was present in the forestomach of 14 out of 18 llamas tested, and in one case it was the unique protozoal species. The vestibuliferids, Dasytricha and Isotricha were absent from the forestomach of llamas. Similarly, other species such as those from the Caloscolex genus, Diplodinium cameli and Entodinium ovumrajae, commonly found in Old World Camelids, were also absent from llamas.

Llama and sheep ruminal fluid digestive capacity by in vitro gas production technique

“…This in vitro experiment assessed exclusively the intrinsic digestion characteristics of the RI source; conversely, in vivo experiments consider other issues such as intake, feed retention time in the forestomach and selectivity 25 . Consequently, previous research indicating the importance of relative intake as an explanation of the daily lower CH 4 emission by SAC, added to the lack of differences in CH 4 production between RI of llamas and sheep reported in our study, could suggest the relatively lower weight of the differential ruminal microbiota previously shown in alpacas and llamas in comparison to sheep 7,8,46,47 …”

“…25 Consequently, previous research indicating the importance of relative intake as an explanation of the daily lower CH 4 emission by SAC, added to the lack of differences in CH 4 production between RI of llamas and sheep reported in our study, could suggest the relatively lower weight of the differential ruminal microbiota previously shown in alpacas and llamas in comparison to sheep. 7,8,46,47 Ruminal digestion of substrates involves the colonization and degradation of macromolecules and finally the fermentation of monomers, leading to VFA production. 48 In turn, the VFA concentration and their fermentation profile depend mainly on the type and quality of feed ingested.…”