This article begins with a facinating discussion of the evidence of white animals in the wild. There are none, except for the baby seal which later molts into brown. In other words white animals are man’s domestic creation.
The author points out that, in alpacas, white bred to white produces approximately 62% white cria. She goes on to say that white and the white spotting genes are closely related:
Types of ‘white’ which may be present include:
- diluted red (chinchilla) alpacas with or without white-spotting genes;
- mega white-spotted alpacas carrying colour genes; (these two types may account for some of the dark-eyed, dark-nosed whites);
- possible near-albino genotypes with permanent pink skin and white fleece.
The conclusions from Paul’s study are:
- Coloured fleece types in alpacas appear to dominate over white fleece types.
- Brown fleece colour appears to be dominant over black fleece colour.
- Grey fleece colour generally appears to be a combination of recessive diluting genes operating on brown/black pigment, minor white-spotting genes producing the characteristic white face and feet of grey alpacas.
- Red fleece colour appears to be a separate colour from brown/black colour.
- White and white-spotting genes appear to be closely associated in alpacas. White alpacas may be a mix of different genotypes, rather than one clear genotype.
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