Inheritance of white, black and brown coat colours in alpaca (Vicuna pacos L.)

Valbonesi, Alessandro; Apaza, N.; Manna, Vincenzo; Gonzales, Martin; Huanca, Teodosio; Renieri, Carlo

doi:10.1016/j.smallrumres.2011.04.003

Cited by 17 publications

(19 citation statements)

References 2 publications

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“…Alpacas were from the ILPA-Puno, Quimsachata Experimental Station, Instituto Nacional de Innovacion Agraria (INIA), Peru, which is located at 4300 m.a.s.l. The alpacas analyzed in the present study were part of a previous phenotypic segregation study on coat color inheritance [ 20 ]; these animals were also used for the molecular characterization of the agouti gene [ 21 ].…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Alpaca Melanocortin 1 Receptor: Gene Mutations, Transcripts, and Relative Levels of Expression in Ventral Skin Biopsies

Chandramohan

Renieri

Manna

et al. 2015

The Scientific World Journal

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The objectives of the present study were to characterize the MC1R gene, its transcripts and the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with coat color in alpaca. Full length cDNA amplification revealed the presence of two transcripts, named as F1 and F2, differing only in the length of their 5′-terminal untranslated region (UTR) sequences and presenting a color specific expression. Whereas the F1 transcript was common to white and colored (black and brown) alpaca phenotypes, the shorter F2 transcript was specific to white alpaca. Further sequencing of the MC1R gene in white and colored alpaca identified a total of twelve SNPs; among those nine (four silent mutations (c.126C>A, c.354T>C, c.618G>A, and c.933G>A); five missense mutations (c.82A>G, c.92C>T, c.259A>G, c.376A>G, and c.901C>T)) were observed in coding region and three in the 3′UTR. A 4 bp deletion (c.224 227del) was also identified in the coding region. Molecular segregation analysis uncovered that the combinatory mutations in the MC1R locus could cause eumelanin and pheomelanin synthesis in alpaca. Overall, our data refine what is known about the MC1R gene and provides additional information on its role in alpaca pigmentation.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Alpaca Melanocortin 1 Receptor: Gene Mutations, Transcripts, and Relative Levels of Expression in Ventral Skin Biopsies

Chandramohan

Renieri

Manna

et al. 2015

The Scientific World Journal

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“…However, breeders frequently report low predictability of fleece color outcomes in breeding programs, suggesting that coat color is inherited polygenically (Mcgregor 2006). Recent studies have begun to unravel the genetic complexity underlying fleece color determination in alpacas (Powell et al 2008;Feeley and Munyard 2009;Cransberg and Munyard 2011;Feeley et al 2011;Valbonesi et al 2011). The coding region has been sequenced for MC1R, ASIP, TYRP1, MATP and TYR in a variety of alpaca fleece colors.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Genetic Inheritance of the Blue-eyed White Phenotype in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Jackling¹,

Johnson²,

Appleton³

2012

JHERED

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White-spotting patterns in mammals can be caused by mutations in the gene KIT, whose protein is necessary for the normal migration and survival of melanocytes from the neural crest. The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) blue-eyed white (BEW) phenotype is characterized by 2 blue eyes and a solid white coat over the whole body. Breeders hypothesize that the BEW phenotype in alpacas is caused by the combination of the gene causing gray fleece and a white-spotting gene. We performed an association study using KIT flanking and intragenic markers with 40 unrelated alpacas, of which 17 were BEW. Two microsatellite alleles at KIT-related markers were significantly associated (P < 0.0001) with the BEW phenotype (bew1 and bew2). In a larger cohort of 171 related individuals, we identify an abundance of an allele (bew1) in gray animals and the occurrence of bew2 homozygotes that are solid white with pigmented eyes. Association tests accounting for population structure and familial relatedness are consistent with a proposed model where these alleles are in linkage disequilibrium with a mutation or mutations that contribute to the BEW phenotype and to individual differences in fleece color.

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“…Although the coat colour of alpacas and llamas, especially the white ones, is essential for the textile industry, the genetic basis of coat colours is mostly unknown. The KIT gene has been postulated as candidate for the dominantly inherited white phenotype in alpacas [26] but despite strong association, no unequivocal relationship between the blue-eyed white (BEW) phenotype and KIT genotype was revealed [27]. Recent data provides evidence that the dominant white or light grey phenotype of alpacas is caused by a KIT missense variant that is most likely lethal in homozygous state [28].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence of coat colour traits and congenital disorders of South American camelids in Austria, Germany and Switzerland

et al. 2020

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Background The increasing popularity of alpacas and llamas outside of South America is undeniable. The associated limited genetic diversity raises questions about health and other genetically determined traits like coat colour. Therefore, a survey studying the prevalence of congenital disorders and coat colours and patterns in South American camelids was performed in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. Moreover, the motivation for keeping these animals, the herd size and breeds was assessed. Results A total of 146 questionnaires were returned corresponding to 16 farms from Austria, 69 farms from Germany, and 61 farms from Switzerland. In total, the returned surveys reported data on 2770 animals including ~ 85% alpacas and ~ 15% llamas. The most common alpaca breed was Huacaya (87.7%), the most common llama breed was Wooly (15.6%). Breeding (69.4%), wool production (63.3%) and keeping them as pets (53.7%) were the most common motivations to keep these animals, although this varied among countries. The three coat colour groups, solid white (24.8%), brown and black (64.8%) and grey (10.4%), occurred at different frequencies. About 7% of the South American camelids with solid white coat showed blue-pigmented eyes, corresponding to the known blue-eyed white phenotype, of which more than every second animal was apparently deaf. Uniform solid coloured animals occurred predominantly (81.4%), whereas pinto (8.8%), speckled (6.4%) and spotted (3.4%), also known as appaloosa, were comparably less prevalent. In total 161 observations of congenital disorders occurring during a 5-year-period were reported. The most prevalent disorders were in the group of musculoskeletal disorders such as spiral toe growth (16.4%), hyperextension of the fetlock joint (12.3%), angular limb deformities (11.0%) and axial rotation of the limbs (8.2%). Conclusions This survey revealed first insights into the occurrence of different traits and disorders in the current South American camelid population of Austria, Germany, and Switzerland. The identification of the most common musculoskeletal disorders might encourage the breeders to eliminate affected animals from their breeding program to decrease the incidence although traits such as spiral toe growth might also represent phenocopies.

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Inheritance of white, black and brown coat colours in alpaca (Vicuna pacos L.)

Cited by 17 publications

References 2 publications

The Alpaca Melanocortin 1 Receptor: Gene Mutations, Transcripts, and Relative Levels of Expression in Ventral Skin Biopsies

The Alpaca Melanocortin 1 Receptor: Gene Mutations, Transcripts, and Relative Levels of Expression in Ventral Skin Biopsies

The Genetic Inheritance of the Blue-eyed White Phenotype in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Prevalence of coat colour traits and congenital disorders of South American camelids in Austria, Germany and Switzerland

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