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dc.contributor.authorCransberg, Rhys
dc.contributor.authorWakamatsu, Kazu
dc.contributor.authorMunyard, Kylie
dc.date.accessioned2017-01-30T10:32:48Z
dc.date.available2017-01-30T10:32:48Z
dc.date.created2014-03-06T20:00:39Z
dc.date.issued2013
dc.identifier.citationCransberg, Rhys and Wakamatsu, Kazu and Munyard, Kylie. 2013. Melanin characterisation suggests that the “brown” phenotype in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is predominantly pheomelanic. Small Ruminant Research. 114 (2-3): pp. 240-246.
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/3624
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.smallrumres.2013.07.004
dc.description.abstract

The “brown” phenotype in alpacas, as described by breeders, is heterogeneous and probably has diverse aetiology. Various “brown” alpaca phenotypes were investigated to try to determine their genetic origin. Using both spectrophotometric and HPLC tests we have determined the total amount of melanin and relative amounts of eumelanin and pheomelanin in a group of alpacas from Australia. The distribution of colour across different parts of the fleece was also analysed. Spectrophotometrically there was no significant difference in the eumelanin:pheomelanin ratio between white and light fawn (P = 0.238), fawn(P = 0.428), brown (P = 0.208), and red brown samples (P = 0.232); all of which were predominantly pheomelanic. This data was supported by a comparison between alpacas described as “brown” by breeders, and known eumelanic brown dogs, between which a clear difference in the type of melanins present was seen. HPLC analysis confirmed that the fibre of all the “brown” alpacas sampled in this study contained predominantly pheomelanic melanin, rather than eumelanin, indicating the possible absence of the eumelanic brown phenotype in the species. This data suggests that “brown” in alpacas is predominantly caused by pheomelanin and that variations between different “brown” colours are caused by changes in pheomelanin levels, and relative amounts of black eumelanin, as opposed to brown eumelanin.

dc.publisherElsevier BV
dc.subjectHPLC
dc.subjectColour
dc.subjectAlpaca
dc.subjectEumelanin
dc.subjectPheomelanin
dc.titleMelanin characterisation suggests that the “brown” phenotype in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is predominantly pheomelanic
dc.typeJournal Article
dcterms.source.volume114
dcterms.source.number2-3
dcterms.source.startPage240
dcterms.source.endPage246
dcterms.source.issn0921-4488
dcterms.source.titleSmall Ruminant Research
curtin.department
curtin.accessStatusFulltext not available


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