Genetic test for Suri fleece type (alpaca, llama)
There are two distinct types of alpaca fleece: Huacaya fleece, which consists of finely crimped fibres that stand away from the body, and Suri fleece, the fibres of which lie close to the body and have a distinct sheen. Huacayas make up the vast majority of the alpaca population, accounting for more than 95%. Suri is inherited dominantly in comparison to Huacaya. Even though mating between Huacayas and Suris is not common, there are Suris that are not homozygous but heterozygous. In llamas, a distinction is made between classic, woolly and Suri fleece.
As a result of a joint research project with the Institute of Genetics at the University of Berne, we can offer a genetic test that can detect the Suri gene variant in a keratin gene in alpacas and llamas.
The following genetic test results are possible:
Suri-0: The animal tested does not carry a copy of the Suri variant and is therefore homozygous for the wild type (no Suri allele).
Suri-1: The animal tested carries one copy of the Suri variant and is therefore a heterozygous carrier.
Suri-2: The animal tested carries two copies of the Suri variant and is therefore a homozygous carrier.
The following table shows the probabilities for the different Suri genotypes in offspring depending on the Suri genotypes of the parent animals. Due to the dominant inheritance of Suri, all animals with the genotypes Suri-1 and Suri-2 have a Suri fleece (shaded grey in the table).
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Probability of genotypes among offspring |
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Genotype of parent 1 |
Genotype of parent 2 |
Suri-0 |
Suri-1 |
Suri-2 |
|
Suri-0 |
Suri-0 |
100% |
0% |
0% |
|
Suri-0 |
Suri-1 |
50% |
50% |
0% |
|
Suri-0 |
Suri-2 |
0% |
100% |
0% |
|
Suri-1 |
Suri-1 |
25% |
50% |
25% |
|
Suri-1 |
Suri-2 |
0% |
50% |
50% |
|
Suri-2 |
Suri-2 |
0% |
0% |
100% |
If you wish to have an investigation carried out, please send us the sample material together with the completed investigation order form. As we are not a routine laboratory, the processing may take a little longer. Please feel free to contact us if you need the results by a fixed date. If you send us larger quantities of samples (>30 pcs.) for analysis, please notify us by telephone or e-mail first. A quantity discount is possible for large orders, please do not hesitate to contact us!