CAMELIDOS
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sami leeCAMELIDOS
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Con tecnología de IAThe guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is highly adaptable and can be found across a wide climatic and altitudinal range, from sea level up to 5,200 meters, and spanning latitudes from Tierra del Fuego to the high Andes in Peru . Its large distribution is attributed to its ability to adapt to varying climates and environments. The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), the smallest of the South American camelids, thrives primarily in the high, arid regions of the Andes, having developed a fine, insulating fur that protects it against the extreme altitudinal climate .
Alpaca herds feature a social structure where dominant males establish territories and maintain polygamous groups similarly to the dynamics observed in wild vicuña herds. In both species, males defend their territories vigorously, establishing dominion over a harem of females. This polygamous behavior promotes genetic diversity within the herd by ensuring that the most robust males contribute more frequently to the gene pool .
Post-European colonization, the geographical distribution of llamas has been significantly altered due to their domestication and utilization. Originally spanning a broad range across the Andes from Colombia to central Chile, llamas have been relocated and introduced to areas outside this range, including Tierra del Fuego, Argentina's Santa Cruz, and even internationally to North America, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries. Such distribution changes are primarily due to their value as domesticated livestock, influencing both their breeding locations and the international trade of these animals .
The Inca civilization extensively utilized llamas and alpacas for societal and economic development. These animals were managed according to norms and principles under the supervision of 'llama michis,' who were responsible for producing zootecnic herds. Reared in the Andes region, which includes present-day Bolivia, Peru, Chile, Ecuador, and Argentina, these camels were essential in sustaining ethnic groups and accumulating enough surplus to create population centers and the foundational base for the development of Tawantinsuyu, the Inca region. Llamas were especially important as pack animals, enduring from pre-Columbian times, through the Conquest and the Republic, until modern days. During the Conquest, they were particularly valued as transport animals for the movement of minerals .
Selective breeding in alpacas has significantly enhanced the fineness of their fiber, closely emulating the high-quality fleece of their wild ancestor, the vicuña. This breeding has also led to a predominance of white-colored alpacas as white fiber can be dyed more easily, making it highly desirable for textile production. Consequently, a variety of original colors found in the Andean alpaca populations have been diminished due to this preference for uniform white pigmentation .
The Huacaya alpaca variety is characterized by a dense and uniform fleece with fibers that cover the entire body, including the legs, front, and cheeks, forming a topknot that can even cover the eyes. This fleece is curly, giving the alpaca an overall fluffy appearance . In contrast, the Suri variety possesses a fleece that is silky, long, and falls in locks which hang on both sides of the body. Unlike the Huacaya, the Suri's fiber lacks the characteristic curly appearance and is more lustrous due to its structure .
South American camelids originated in North America about 50 million years ago. Their ancestors evolved into Poebrotherium, a sheep-sized animal that thrived around 30 million years ago. During the Miocene epoch, these camelids underwent morphological changes, increasing in size and adapting to a diet of more rugged plant material, developing a habit of itinerant grazing. This adaptation facilitated their migration across expanding steppes. About five million years ago, some camelids migrated to South America, while others traversed the Bering Strait to Asia. The subsequent evolution resulted in two distinct genera: Lama, native to the Andes, which further divided into four species—Lama glama (llama), Lama pacus (alpaca), Lama guanicoe (guanaco), and Vicugna vicugna (vicuña)—and Camelus, which migrated to Africa and Central Asia .
Natural hybrids between South American camelids and their parent species are as follows: Alpaca (♂) and Llama (♀) produce Huarizos; Llama (♂) and Alpaca (♀) create Mistis; Alpaca (♂) and Vicuña (♀) as well as Vicuña (♂) and Alpaca (♀) both result in Pacovicunas; and finally, Vicuña (♂) and Llama (♀) produce Llamavicuñas .
Camels, including South American camelids like llamas and alpacas, efficiently convert sparse and rugged native vegetation into high-quality fibers and meat, playing a crucial ecological role by sustaining livelihoods in the harsh Andean terrains. Economically, their conversion ability provides quality fibers for textile industries and meat for local consumption. The animals also serve as sustainable alternatives for local economies, given their adaptability to low-input systems. Furthermore, their hides and excrement are valuable byproducts for artisanal and agricultural use, respectively, enhancing their economic significance in these regions .
