Assessment of Ex Situ Conservation Strategies for the Preservation of Domestic South American Camels in Southern Peru: Insights from Mitochondrial DNA Analysis
Journal: bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Year: 2025

ABSTRACT Southern Peru is home to the largest population of alpacas and the second-largest population of llamas. For many rural families, breeding these animals is vital. Recently, breeding communities have faced several challenges, including restricted market access, climate change, a reduction in coloured individuals, and pasture degradation, which hinder trading and genetic improvement efforts. This study examines the D-loop region of mitochondrial DNA to assess the genetic maternal diversity