FLEECE TYPES, FIBER CHARACTERISTICS AND PRODUCTION SYSTEM OF AN OUTSTANDING LLAMA POPULATION FROM SOUTHERN BOLIVIA

The production system, fleece-type distribution and fiber traits of a population of llamas from Southern Potosi (SP), Bolivia, were studied. A mixed-livestock-pastoral, zero cropping- and grazing-based system, rotating on swamps, plains and mountain slopes, was the dominant produ ction system. The incidence of animals having woolly, heavier and fine r fleeces, resembling those of alpaca, was higher in SP (47%) than in other northern regions (8%) where most of the llama population is rais ed. Means of average fiber diameter and the incidence of medullated fi bers, 21.2 mu m and 38.9%, respectively, were the lowest reported for llamas. While continuous medullated fibers varied among fleece types ( P<0.01), average fiber diameter did not differ (P>0.05). Older animals tended to have fibers with larger means of average fiber diameter (P< 0.01). Continuous and fragmented medullated fibers, and average fiber diameters differed according to the color of the coat (P<0.01). Averag e staple strength was 46.4 N/ktex. Animals from Southern Potosi repres ent a valuable genetic resource for the improvement of fiber productio n of llama, a species primarily used as meat producer. (C) 1998 Elsevi er Science B.V. All rights reserved.