show Abstracthide AbstractThe alpaca is a domesticated relative of the wild vicuna; also known as Vicugna pacos. The alpaca is being sequenced at ~2X coverage by the <a href="http://genome.wustl.edu/genome_group_index.cgi">Washington University Genome Sequencing Center</a> and the <a href="http://www.broad.mit.edu/node/296">Broad Institute</a> 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.