Hair Follicle Characteristics and Fiber Production in South American Camelids

In three experimental studies, researchers analyzed the hair follicle and fiber characteristics of South American camelids, including Peruvian alpacas and llamas, and Bolivian llamas. The first study concluded that these camelids develop a mature skin follicle apparatus at an early age, suggesting that early first shearing is advisable. The second study, involving twenty Peruvian camelids, found that fleece type and fiber diameter significantly influenced the number of cuticular scales per 100 μm fiber length, with suri fleece showing distinct characteristics that could be used for textile fiber analysis and in selection programs for homogeneous fibers. The third study, which included thirty-one Bolivian llama kids, showed that the Bolivian llamas had a mature skin follicle apparatus at birth with a constant secondary to primary (S/P) follicle ratio, indicating that the S/P ratio could not reliably differentiate between the 'Q'aras' and 'T'amphullis' genotypes within the same genetic population.