Genetics and Breeding

The opportunity exists to utilise our knowledge of major genes that influence the economically important traits in wool sheep. Genes with Mendelian inheritance have been identified for many important traits in wool sheep. Of particular importance are genes influencing pigmentation, wool quality and the keratin proteins, the latter of which are important for the morphology of the wool fibre. Gene mapping studies have identified some chromosomal regions associated with variation in wool quality and production traits. The challenge now is to build on this knowledge base in a cost-effective way to deliver molecular tools that facilitate enhanced genetic improvement programs for wool sheep. more »

Every sperm or egg has only one copy of each gene So each sperm from the male could have either the G or the S allele from the whitespot gene and it can have either B or B from the color gene. more »

Alpaca breeders, unlike those of other species in a not-so-distant past, will not have to resort to numerous and time consuming test breedings to establish inheritance of color genes. We will soon know... with the competent help of one very busy, very knowledgeable woman and a few drops of blood... exactly why that alpaca is red or black. Imagine that! more »

This RIRDC report describes the research conducted as part of the alpaca colour genetics project to identify the genes involved in the inheritance of white colour in alpacas. Three approaches were used (Mendelian, physical and genetic) in an attempt to unravel the mystery surrounding colour inheritance in alpacas. This project has successfully identified key mutations in genes that lead to differences in fibre colour in alpacas. Other genes, which play a role in colour variation in other species, were cleared of involvement in colour variation in alpacas. Through extensive observational analysis a model for Mendelian inheritance of the major colours was developed. In combination, these findings provide breeders with information that allows them to make informed colour breeding choices. more »