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Vicuñas and Llamas: Parallels in behavioral ecology and implications for the domestication of andean camelids

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Abstract

The age structure, sex composition, and territorial behavior of wild camelids is compared to that of llama herds from the community of Alota, southwestern Bolivia. The parallels suggest that herd management techniques are designed to replicate wild camelid social organization. The predictable camelid territorial behavior in turn facilitates the management of llama herds. The implications of these organizational and territorial parallels are discussed with reference to camelid procurement strategies and domestication.

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Tomka, S.A. Vicuñas and Llamas: Parallels in behavioral ecology and implications for the domestication of andean camelids. Hum Ecol 20, 407–433 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00890428

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