Inheritance of White Colour in Alpacas - Australian Alpaca Association

Figures
Figure 1.1: Location of skin (a) and hair (b) melanocytes. ............................................................................. 2
Figure 1.2: A melanocyte with dendritic processes ....................................................................................... 2
Figure 1.3: The melanin biosynthesis pathway. ............................................................................................ 3
Figure 1.4: Examples of pigmentation genes and their point of action in the pigmentation pathway. ................. 4
Figure 1.5: Interaction of Agouti signalling protein (ASP) and melanocyte stimulating hormone
(α-MSH) with the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R).. .................................................................. 5
Figure 1.6: Comparisons of colour and pattern in different species. ............................................................... 6
Figure 3.1: Agouti genotypes AA, Aa t & Aa. ............................................................................................. 13
Figure 3.2: The AA b genotype.. ................................................................................................................ 13
Figure 3.3: A b a t & A b a genotypes. ............................................................................................................ 14
Figure 3.4: The A b A b genotype ................................................................................................................. 14
Figure 3.5: Black & Tan phenotypes. ........................................................................................................ 15
Figure 3.6: Black phenotypes. .................................................................................................................. 15
Figure 3.7: Effect of homozygous e on agouti phenotypes. ......................................................................... 16
Figure 3.8: An A b A b ee alpaca .................................................................................................................. 17
Figure 3.9: Classic grey phenotypes.. ........................................................................................................ 18
Figure 3.10: Cria and adult photos of the same animal. ................................................................................. 18
Figure 3.11: This alpaca has been proven by breeding results to be classic grey.. ............................................ 18
Figure 3.12: A roan alpaca on a black base colour. ....................................................................................... 19
Figure 3.13: Alpacas with tuxedo markings. ................................................................................................ 20
Figure 3.14: A piebald marked alpaca. ........................................................................................................ 20
Figure 3.16: Coloured spots of uncertain origin ........................................................................................... 21
Figure 3.16: BEW with and without coloured spots. ..................................................................................... 21
Figure 3.17: The relative amount of total melanin present in different coloured alpaca fibres. .......................... 23
Figure 3.18: The relative proportion of type of melanin present in alpaca fibre of different colours. ................. 24
Figure 3.19: Comparison of total melanin content with type of melanin in alpaca fibres of different colour. ..... 25
Figure 3.20: The location of newly identified alpaca Tyrp1 mutations. .......................................................... 32
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