Animal fibres from South American camelids and other fibre or wool bearing species provide important products for use by the human population. The contemporary context includes the competition with petrocarbon-based artificial fibres and concern about excessive persistence of these in the natural environment. Animal fibres present highly valuable characteristics for sustainable production and processing as they are both natural and renewable. On the other hand, their use is recognised to depend on availability of appropriate quality and quantity, the production of which is underpinned by a range of sciences and processes which support development to meet market requirements. This collection of papers combines international experience from South and North America, China and Europe. The focus lies on domestic South American camelids (alpacas, llamas) and also includes research on sheep and goats. It considers latest advances in sustainable development under climate change, breeding and genetics, reproduction and pathology, nutrition, meat and fibre production and fibre metrology. Publication of this book is supported by the Animal Fibre Working Group of the European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP). ‘Advances in Fibre Production Science in South American Camelids and other Fibre Animals’ addresses issues of importance to scientists and animal breeders, textile processors and manufacturers, specialised governmental policy makers and students studying veterinary, animal and applied biological sciences.

This book, 'Fibre production in South American camelids and other fibre animals', covers the latest advances in the main fields of animals producing fibre. It deals with a wide scope of fibre animals and a great variety of subjects and is supported by the Animal Fibre Working Group belonging to the European Association of Animal Production. The book can be considered a valuable attempt to prepare the fibre production sector for rapid changes and innovations arising within a globalised world. The focus lies on fibre animals such as alpacas, llamas, vicunas and guanacos, but recent research on sheep, goats and rabbits is also included. The most important themes addressed are meat and fibre production, breeding and genetics, nutrition, reproduction, management, and health. Finally, the book closes with specialised discussions on fibre production related topics, which for example provide a more in-depth look at common management denominators between South American camelids and other fibre animals. The book addresses scientists, professionals, technicians, farmers, specialised governmental policy makers and students all around the world who are involved in fibre animal production (such as sheep, camelids, goats, or rabbits). This book will present them with the most current findings in this area.

This issue of Veterinary Clinics: Exotic Animal Practice, guest edited by Dr. Shangzhe Xie, is focused on Herd/Flock Health and Medicine for the Exotic Animal Practitioner. This is one of three issues each year selected by the series consulting editor, Dr. Jörg Mayer. Article topics include: Principles of herd/flock health and medicine; Therapeutics in herd/flock medicine; Managing the health of captive flocks of birds; Managing disease outbreaks in captive flocks of birds; Managing the health of captive herds of exotic companion mammals; Managing disease outbreaks in captive herds of exotic companion mammals; Managing the health of captive groups of reptiles and amphibians; Prevention is Better Than Cure: an Overview of Disease Outbreak Management in Herptiles; Reproduction management of herds/flocks of exotic animals; and Disease prevention programs in herds/flocks of exotic animals

This eBook is a collection of articles from a Frontiers Research Topic. Frontiers Research Topics are very popular trademarks of the Frontiers Journals Series: they are collections of at least ten articles, all centered on a particular subject. With their unique mix of varied contributions from Original Research to Review Articles, Frontiers Research Topics unify the most influential researchers, the latest key findings and historical advances in a hot research area! Find out more on how to host your own Frontiers Research Topic or contribute to one as an author by contacting the Frontiers Editorial Office: frontiersin.org/about/contact.

This World Association for Animal Production (WAAP) Book of the Year series, now in its fourth volume, grows each year in its popularity. The authors are selected for their expertise in a specific field of the animal science. It is intended to constantly update animal scientists, industry representatives, animal breeders and extension service personnel with all the aspects considered relevant in each specific field of animal science. The book offers an updated and complete picture of the animal industry and of livestock science worldwide. We maintain the book's successful four section structure for easy access to the information. The first section of the book deals with livestock industry and possible application of research developments in the various continents. The following section reports updates about development of research in the various disciplines in the entire animal science field. The third section contains interesting articles on 'free subjects', of broad interest. We were told by readers of the previous volumes that this is the most popular section for the variety of actual and interesting topics for readers. The final section shows, like every year, detailed statistics of extraordinary importance in the animal industry. This book is generally recognized as one of the very few practical resources of comprehensive statistical information related to animal industry and it is considered by most important libraries to be a key instrument to offer their readers high-quality, updated relevant information on global animal science developments.