Higher classification Camelids | Rank Species | |
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Hueque or Chilihueque is a South American camelid variety or species that existed in central and south-central Chile in Pre-Hispanic and early colonial times. There are two main hypotheses on their status among South American camelids: the first one suggest that they are locally domesticated guanacos and the second that they are a variety of llamas brought from the north into south-central Chile. The alpaca has also been suggested as a possible identity. Chilihueques became extinct in the 16th or 17th century being replaced by European livestock. The causes of its extinction are unknown.
According to Juan Ignacio Molina, the Dutch captain Joris van Spilbergen observed the use of chilihueques by native Mapuches of Mocha Island as plough animals in 1614.