Effect of the prevalence of ectoparasites in the behavioral patterns of wild vicuñas (vicugna vicugna)

YANINA ARZAMENDIA, LILIA E. NEDER, GISELA MARCOPPIDO, FELIX ORTIZ MARTHA ARCE, HUGO E. LAMAS AND BIBIANA L.VILÁ

Queensland

Otro; Journal of Camelid Science; 2012

nternational Society of Camelid and Development

The vicuña (Vicugna vicugna) is a wild South American camelid adapted to high Andean arid environments. This species almost became extinct by the middle of the 20th century due to overharvest for their fleece. Nowadays, the increase in their populations is generating conflicts with villagers, who consider vicuñas as transmitters of ectoparasites (mainly mites) to livestock. However, information concerning this issue is scarce, despite the importance of vicuñas and their close phylogenetic relationship with domestic camelids (Lama glama and Vicugna pacos).