Morphometric evaluation of growth in llamas (Lama glama) from birth to maturity.
Normal growth characteristics of llamas (Lama glama) were evaluated from conception until 1 week after parturition in pregnant females (study 1) and from 1 month after birth to maturity (study 2). In study 1, pregnant multiparous llamas (n = 10) were measured at monthly intervals from conception until 1 week after parturition; in study 2, llamas (n = 270) were measured once. Body weight of pregnant llamas (study 1) did not increase significantly until after the eighth month of pregnancy. Llamas of study 2 reached mature height, length, thoracic circumference, and weight at 18, 24, 36, and 36 months of age, respectively. From 1 month of age to maturity, the growth characteristics of males, nonpregnant females, and females during the first 8 months of pregnancy did not differ. Correlations (r2) between height, length, and thoracic circumference related to body weight for all but the pregnant llamas during the last 3 months of pregnancy were 0.822, 0.834, and 0.948, respectively. The equation describing thoracic circumference as a predictor of body weight was: Weight (kg) = (1.005 x 10(-3)) x circumference (cm)2.424.
Smith
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College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis 97331-4802.
Timm
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Reed
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D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D001724:Birth Weight; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000196:embryology / Q000254:growth & development*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011270:Pregnancy, Animal / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D012044:Regression Analysis; D015430:Weight Gain