Vicugna pacos Genome sequencing. Vicugna pacos

The alpaca is a domesticated relative of the wild vicuna; also known as Vicugna pacos. The alpaca is being sequenced at ~2X coverage by the Washington University Genome Sequencing Center and the Broad Institute using a whole genome shotgun sequencing strategy. The genome sequence of the alpaca, together with the cow and pig genomes, will allow more precise comparisons among the genomes of artiodactyl mammals and a better understanding of mammalian genome evolution.