Description:

Wild camelid populations are often inbred, resulting in reduced genetic variation and an increase in inherited diseases and congenital abnormalities. In order to use the nearly completed alpaca genome map and other new genetic tools to study alpacas and llamas, scientists need access to biological samples and population information. Investigators will identify and collect samples from wild, semi-captive and captive populations of camelids in South America. This study will support an already considerable effort by Chilean scientists and their colleagues to collect samples, and it is the first step toward finding the genetic basis of traits of adaptive and evolutionary importance. In addition, the information learned will provide the first direct measure of the genetic differences between North American and South American herds of alpacas and llamas.

Results:

Researchers learned that wild South American camelids (guanacos and vicuņas) had a low frequency of abnormal traits, while domestic South American camelids (llamas and alpacas) showed a higher frequency of malformations than their wild relatives. Intensively managed domestic herds showed low to moderate levels of genetic variability, which is the likely cause of genetic issues. Captive guanaco and vicuņa populations that were founded from recently captured individuals didn’t show a similar lack in diversity. In fact captive guanacos and wild populations revealed few differences, which may be explained by the establishment of recent breeding programs. This study provided the first steps for facilitating the use of herds in Chile for genetic mapping projects. The results will also provide context for future work with North American and Australian populations.

An Integrated Radiation Hybrid Map of the Alpaca

D02LA-18, National Cancer Institute, Warren Johnson, Ph.D.

Completed: December 2006

Description:

Genetic maps are useful in studying which genes are linked to inherited traits and related topics such as infectious diseases, reproduction physiology, behavior, nutrition and evolutionary history. Genetic maps for humans, dogs and mice have increased the knowledge of these species; however, few genetic resources have been developed for camelids. This study is developing a map of the alpaca genome, which will help investigators identify inherited traits in these animals. A better understanding of these traits will immediately provide a benefit to the health of individual animals and entire herd management. A genetic map also opens the doors for future studies that will increase the knowledge of camelids.

Results:

Researchers developed several molecular genetic tools that will be used to further alpaca research. These included development of a radiation hybrid panel for mapping of genetic markers, which provides a preliminary map for analyzing  relationships between alpaca, human and cow genomes, and development of probes for comparative cytogenetic analyses. These tools led to the alpaca being chosen by the National Cancer Institute for whole genome sequencing, a process that will be completed in 2007. This has led to the commitment of additional resources for alpaca research and has increased the number of researchers embarking on camelid research projects worldwide. Future identification of genes and mutations will be critically important to alpaca breeders and researchers.