Lamini (members are called laminoids) is a tribe of the subfamily Camelinae. It contains one extant genus with four species, all exclusively from South America: llamas, alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos. The former two are domesticated species, while the latter two are only found in the wild. None display sexual dimorphism. The four species can interbreed and produce fertile offspring.[1] Additionally, there are two extinct genera known from the fossil record.
The digestive system of lamoids allows them to digest certain toxins.[2] Laminoids also lack a gallbladder.[3]
The llama (Lama glama) is the largest of the extant laminoids and weighs 130–150 kilograms (290–330 lb) with a height of 109–119 cm (43–47 in) at the shoulder.[4] Llamas are not a natural species; rather, they were domesticated by the Peruvians and Bolivians of the highlands.[5] Commercial trade led to the llama's current abundance in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and northeast Argentina. There are bands of llamas in the United States, Europe, Japan, and New Zealand.
The color and length of the llama's wool is variable, depending on the race. The diameter of llama wool's fiber varies between 20 and 80 micrometers, depending on whether the llamas were raised for its wool or as a pack animal.
The guanaco (Lama guanicoe) is a wild camelid, standing at 100–120 cm (39–47 in) at the shoulder[4] and 150–160 cm (59–63 in) at the head. It can weigh up to 140 kilograms (310 lb).[6] Its pelage is longer than that of the vicuña but shorter than that of the alpaca; it is considered to be of excellent quality and has a light brown, reddish, or brown-yellow color.[7] The diameter of its fleece's fibers varies between 16 and 18 micrometers.
90% of the world's guanacos are in Argentina,[7] distributed from the islands of the Beagle Channel and the southern extremity of the Patagonia to the Puna grassland in northwestern Argentina. Guanacos can also be found in Bolivia, Chile, Paraguay, and Peru.[8]