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Figure 1.8 Heavily fibered huacaya alpaca.

The two breeds of alpaca; huacaya (Figures 1.8 and 1.9) and suri (Figure 1.10), have both become popular in the United States. Alpacas are separated on the basis of fiber coat characteristics. In Peru, 90% are of the huacaya breed. Huacaya fiber is shorter than that of the suri breed and is crimped and spongy, giving it the appearance of Corriedale sheep wool [17, 18]. The coat of suri alpacas consists of long fibers with no crimp that hang down alongside the body in ringlets or dreadlocks. Alpaca coloration varies from white to black with intermediate shades and combinations. The alpaca is the primary SAC fiber producer of the Andean highland.

Similarly to alpacas, the Spanish conquest in the sixteenth century led to a rapid decline in the number and the geographic distribution of llamas in South America. While smaller groups of llamas presently live in Ecuador and Columbia, the largest number of llamas are found between 11° south latitude and 21° south latitude in higher elevations [19]. Two breeds are recognized in Peru: the woolier varieties are called “ch'aku” in Quechua (Figure 1.11), and those individuals with less fiber on the neck and body are called “q'ara” (wooless) (Figure 1.12) [17].

Tables 1.2 and 1.3 outline general similarities and differences between South American camelids.

Figure 1.9 Huacaya alpaca female.

Figure 1.10 Suri alpaca.

Camels

      Dromedary camels (Figure 1.1) are especially adapted to life in hot, arid areas of the world, notably the Middle East, North Africa, and India, with a large feral population in Australia. Dromedaries have been used since ancient times for transport of people and goods, warfare, food, fiber, and companionship. With the advent of modern transportation and the establishment of paved highways, camels have become somewhat obsolete. However, some countries still treasure some of the traditional uses of dromedaries and have fostered camel racing as a sport.

      The Bactrian camel is adapted to the cooler, arid climates of Mongolia, southern areas of the former Soviet Union, China, and south‐central Asia. It is a beast of burden for carrying goods throughout its native lands and was the cargo carrier of goods along the Silk Road from inner China to the Mediterranean. Bactrian camels have a heavy fiber coat to cope with the cooler, arid climate and provide the bulk of the fiber used in the manufacturing of camel hair garments.

Table 1.4 outlines characteristics of camels.

Figure 1.11 Wooly‐necked llama. In Peru these animals are called “ch'aku” in Quechua.

Evolution

      Camelid

Camelid evolution began in North America over 40 million years ago during the Eocene epoch [18]. Geologic and paleontologic time scales are estimates and subject to revision. Figure 1.13 provides a diagram of the relationships between the various artiodactylid families since the Eocene epoch. Webb published a definitive work on the evolution of Pleistocene camelids based on paleontologic evidence [20]. He suggested three major tribes, separated as early as the Eocene epoch. This family tree is questionable, with insufficient fossil records to trace lines accurately (postulates indicated by broken lines) (Figure 1.14) [20, 21]. Two tribes, Camelopini (Camelops) and Camelini (Camelus), evolved in North America only west of the Mississippi River. The tribe Lamini (Lama) was also found in Florida [21, 22].

Figure 1.12 Llama.

      The Pleistocene epoch was characterized by a series of periods of extreme cold and glaciation in northern North America and Europe [23]. The last glacial retreat occurred about 10 000 years ago, marking the beginning of the recent epoch. It was during the Pleistocene epoch that the Camelidae flourished [24–26]. Many genera in the family Camelidae became extinct, for unknown reasons, before the recent epoch.

      Camel

      Asia and Alaska are now separated by the 90‐km (56‐mile)‐wide Bering Strait. However, during the height of one of the early Pleistocene glacial periods, the sea level was lowered sufficiently to expose a wide land bridge [27]. Plant and animal species moved

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