Chapter 2: Llamas and Alpacas Scientific Classification

Scientific Classification Overview

• Scientific Classification organizes animals based on shared physical traits.
• Important in biology for understanding relationships among species.

Alpaca Scientific Classification

• Domain: Eukarya - organisms with complex cells.
• Kingdom: Animalia - multicellular, eukaryotic organisms.
• Phylum: Chordata - characterized by a notochord and spinal cord.
• Class: Mammalia - warm-blooded vertebrates with fur or hair and mammary glands.
• Order: Artiodactyla - even-toed ungulates.
• Family: Camelidae - includes camels and llamas.
• Genus: Vicugna - specific genus for alpacas.
• Species: Alpacas - domesticated species, distinct from llamas.

Llama Scientific Classification

• Domain: Eukarya - complex cellular organisms.
• Kingdom: Animalia - includes diverse forms of animal life.
• Phylum: Chordata - features a notochord at some stage.
• Class: Mammalia - defined by characteristics of mammals.
• Order: Artiodactyla - groups mammals with an even number of toes.
• Family: Camelidae - includes species like llamas and alpacas.
• Genus: Lama - unique to llamas for classification.
• Species: Llamas - domesticated species, used for various purposes, including pack animals.

Comparison of Scientific Classifications

• Both llamas and alpacas belong to the same Domain, Kingdom, Phylum, Class, Order, and Family indicating their close relationship.
• Differentiated at the Genus and Species levels:
  • Alpacas: Genus Vicugna, Species Alpacas
  • Llamas: Genus Lama, Species Llamas

Historical Classification Note

• Alpacas were previously classified under the Genus Lama before being reclassified to Vicugna.