Phenotypic Characterization of Creole Cattle in the Andean Highlands Using Bio-Morphometric Measures and Zoometric Indices.

Several Creole cattle biotypes can be found in the Andean highlands, and most of them are considered as being in risk of extinction. The main aim of the present study was to perform a phenotypic characterization of the Creole cattle in the Andean highlands using bio-morphometric measures and zoometric indices. Individuals from three different biotypes (Black 'Negro' (n = 57), Colour-Sided 'Callejón' (n = 20), and Brindle 'Atigrado' (n = 18)) from an experimental research center located in the Peruvian highlands were enrolled in the study. In total, seventeen morphometric parameters were evaluated and ten zoometric indices were calculated in each biotype. To test the relationship between biometric traits, correlation analyses were carried out between morphometric parameters. Differences were observed regarding different morphometric variables such as head length (HL) and rump length (RL) among cattle biotypes (p ≤ 0.05). The coefficient of variation (CV; %) regarding different morphometric parameters ranged between 11.32 for neck length (NL) and 3.63 for height at withers (HaW), which indicated low-moderate variability among morphometric variables. Differences were observed in the longitudinal pelvic index (LPI) when different zoometric indices were compared among biotypes (p ≤ 0.05). The CV regarding different zoometric indices, which ranged between 10.78 for the cephalic index (CEI) and 5.05 for LPI, indicated low variability among indices. No differences were observed in any other morphometric parameter or zoometric index among cattle biotypes or genders (p > 0.05). Finally, multiple correlations were observed between morphometric variables (p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, it was determined that Peruvian Andean Creole cattle can be considered as a dairy-related biotype with a slight tendency for beef production (dual-purpose). The great homogeneity regarding zoometric characteristics among biotypes and genders may indicate that the Andean Creole cattle have been maintained quite isolated, avoiding the genetic influence of other foreign breeds. Finally, the phenotypic characterization including bio-morphometric measurements and zoometric indices obtained from the different Creole bovine biotypes is crucial in order to begin different conservation programs to preserve cattle breeds in the Peruvian Andean highlands.

Novel Genes Involved in Resistance to Both Ultraviolet Radiation and Perchlorate From the Metagenomes of Hypersaline Environments.

Microorganisms that thrive in hypersaline environments on the surface of our planet are exposed to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, for their protection, they have sunscreen pigments and highly efficient DNA repair and protection systems. The present study aimed to identify new genes involved in UV radiation resistance from these microorganisms, many of which cannot be cultured in the laboratory. Thus, a functional metagenomic approach was used and for this, small-insert libraries were constructed with DNA isolated from microorganisms of high-altitude Andean hypersaline lakes in Argentina (Diamante and Ojo Seco lakes, 4,589 and 3,200 m, respectively) and from the Es Trenc solar saltern in Spain. The libraries were hosted in a UV radiation-sensitive strain of Escherichia coli (recA mutant) and they were exposed to UVB. The resistant colonies were analyzed and as a result, four clones were identified with environmental DNA fragments containing five genes that conferred resistance to UV radiation in E. coli. One gene encoded a RecA-like protein, complementing the mutation in recA that makes the E. coli host strain more sensitive to UV radiation. Two other genes from the same DNA fragment encoded a TATA-box binding protein and an unknown protein, both responsible for UV resistance. Interestingly, two other genes from different and remote environments, the Ojo Seco Andean lake and the Es Trenc saltern, encoded two hypothetical proteins that can be considered homologous based on their significant amino acid similarity (49%). All of these genes also conferred resistance to 4-nitroquinoline 1-oxide (4-NQO), a compound that mimics the effect of UV radiation on DNA, and also to perchlorate, a powerful oxidant that can induce DNA damage. Furthermore, the hypothetical protein from the Es Trenc salterns was localized as discrete foci possibly associated with damaged sites in the DNA in cells treated with 4-NQO, so it could be involved in the repair of damaged DNA. In summary, novel genes involved in resistance to UV radiation, 4-NQO and perchlorate have been identified in this work and two of them encoding hypothetical proteins that could be involved in DNA damage repair activities not previously described.

GROWTH PATTERN OF THE TROPICAL HIGHLAND GYMNOPTHALMID LIZARD Anadia bogotensis IN CAPTIVITY CONDITIONS / Patrón de crecimiento del gimnoftálmido tropical de tierras altas Anadia bogotensis en condiciones de cautiverio

ABSTRACT We estimated growth pattern and growth rate of individuals of Anadia bogotensis in captivity and under climatic conditions similar to those in the wild. We collected eggs of this species from communal nests from a highland locality in the municipality of La Calera, Cundinamarca, in Colombia. The eggs were incubated in outdoors terrariums, and the growth of the hatchlings was recorded until their death. The growth pattern fits a logistic model, in which individuals grow moderately at the beginning, and then their growth rate increases. The growth rate increases even after individuals reach sexual maturity and seems to decrease close to their maximum body size. It is a fast growing species that reaches sexual maturity at around 50 % of its maximum body size and has a lifespan of less than two years. This strategy could be a consequence of high predation pressures, but it is a hypothesis that needs to be tested in the wild.

RESUMEN Estimamos el patrón y tasa de crecimiento de individuos en cautiverio de Anadia bogotensis bajo condiciones y climáticas similares a las que experimentan los individuos en poblaciones silvestres. Obtuvimos huevos de nidos comunales de esta especie provenientes de una localidad del municipio de La Calera, Cundinamarca, los cuales fueron incubados en terrarios a la intemperie; después de la eclosión seguimos el crecimiento de los individuos hasta su muerte. El patrón de crecimiento se ajusta a un modelo logístico; esto indica que los individuos crecen moderadamente al inicio y luego la tasa incrementa. La tasa de crecimiento aumenta aún después que los individuos alcanzan la madurez sexual, y parece decrecer cerca de su máximo tamaño corporal. La especie crece rápido, madura al alcanzar el 50 % de su tamaño máximo y vive menos de dos años. Esta estrategia podría ser consecuencia de fuertes presiones de depredación, una hipótesis que debe evaluarse en condiciones naturales.

The expansion of brown rot disease throughout Bolivia: possible role of climate change.

Bacterial wilt is a devastating plant disease caused by the bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum species complex and affects different crops. Bacterial wilt infecting potato is also known as brown rot (BR) and is responsible for significant economic losses in potato production, especially in developing countries. In Bolivia, BR affects up to 75% of the potato crop in areas with high incidence and 100% of stored potatoes. The disease has disseminated since its introduction to the country in the mid-1980s mostly through contaminated seed tubers. To avoid this, local farmers multiply seed tubers in highlands because the strain infecting potatoes cannot survive near-freezing temperatures that are typical in the high mountains. Past disease surveys have shown an increase in seed tubers with latent infection in areas at altitudes lower than 3000 m a.s.l. Since global warming is increasing in the Andes Mountains, in this work, we explored the incidence of BR in areas at altitudes above 3000 m a.s.l. Results showed BR presence in the majority of these areas, suggesting a correlation between the increase in disease incidence and the increase in temperature and the number of irregular weather events resulting from climate change. However, it cannot be excluded that the increasing availability of latently infected seed tubers has boosted the spread of BR.

Effects of high altitude on morphophysiological patterns, perception and attention capacity in students from Putre (3500 m. a. s. l. ) and Arica (2 m. a. s. l. ), Chile / Efectos de la altura sobre patrones morfofisiológicos y en la capacidad atencional y de percepción en estudiantes de las comunas de Putre (3500 msnm) y de Arica (2 msnm), Chile

High altitude hypoxia is a stress that triggers several adaptive mechanisms, one of which is how the brain responds to lack of oxygen. The aim of this study was to determine changes in morphological and physiological patterns and in the attention capacity and perception in student populations from the highlands and from a sea level location. Eighty students, aged 14 to 16 years old, both sexes, from the Municipalities of Putre (3500 m.a.s.l.) and Arica (2 m.a.s.l.) participated in this study, with each group composed of 20 women and 20 men. After informed consent was obtained and with the students acceptance, parameters such as weight, height, BMI, heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were obtained. Subsequently, a psychometric test of attention and perception was applied. The results determined that the population from Putre had less weight and height than students from Arica. Males exhibited a significant decrease in heart rate and women had lower systolic and diastolic blood pressures than in the assessed sea level population. The levels of response in the psycho-technical tests were significantly lower in the population from high altitude, both in males and females. We conclude that high altitude causes changes in morphological and physiological patterns and in responsiveness in psycho-technical tests. However, further studies in psycho-perception are required to delineate the effects that are unique of ethnicity, culture and worldview of the people living in high altitude and their levels of response.

La hipoxia de altura es un estrés que dispara varios mecanismos adaptativos, uno de ellos es como el cerebro responde frente a la falta de oxígeno. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar cambios en los patrones morfológicos, fisiológicos y en la capacidad de atención y precepción de población estudiantil que vive en altura y a nivel del mar. Ochenta estudiantes de entre 14 a 16 años de ambos sexos, pertenecientes a las Comunas de Putre (3500 msnm) y Arica (2 msnm) participaron de este estudio. Cada grupo con 20 mujeres y 20 hombres fue medido para determinar su peso, talla, IMC, frecuencia cardiaca, presión sistólica y diastólica. Posteriormente se les aplicó una prueba psicométrica de atención y percepción. Los resultados determinan que la población de Putre presenta menor peso y talla que los alumnos de Arica. Los hombres muestran una disminución significativa de la frecuencia cardiaca y las mujeres presentan una presión sistólica y diastólica menor que lo observado en la población a nivel del mar. Los niveles de respuesta en la prueba psicotécnica son significativamente más bajos en la población que vive en altura tanto en hombres como mujeres. Se concluye que la altura provoca cambios en los patrones morfológicos, fisiológicos y en la capacidad de respuesta en el test psicotécnico. Sin embargo se requieren de mayores estudios de psicopercepción que permitan delimitar los efectos que son propios de la etnia, cultura y la cosmovisión de los pueblos que viven en altura y los niveles de respuesta de esta población.