Ciliate protozoa of the forestomach of llamas (Lama glama) from locations at different altitude in Argentina

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. Inst. de Patobiología Fil: Ceron Cucchi, Maria Esperanza. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina Fil: Marcoppido, Gisela Ariana. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina. VICAM. Vicuñas, Camélidos y Ambiente; Argentina Fil: Dekker, Anna. Utretch University; Holanda Fil: Fondevila, Manuel. Universidad de Zaragoza; España. Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón. Departamento de Producción Animal y Ciencia de los Alimentos; España Fil: De La Fuente, Gabriel. Universitat de Lleida. Departamento de Producción Animal; España Fil: Morici, Gabriel Edgardo. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina Fil: Cravero, Silvio Lorenzo Pedro. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Biotecnología; Argentina