Suri Genetics |
There are different theories around about what a suri is exactly. The most popular being Ponzonie single gene theory. This sets out that the suri is the dominant gene "S" with the huacaya being a recessive gene "s". A homozygous suri would carry two suri genes "SS" but an alpaca could look like a suri (Phenotype suri) but have a huacaya gene "Ss" making it a heterozygous suri. Therefore when a Homozygous suri is crossed with a huacaya the offspring would always be a suri, a huacaya and huacaya would always produce a huacaya. And a Heterozygous suri and huacaya would produce 50% suri 50% huacaya. At Surico we have seen this theory prove true. |
Homozygous Suri "SS" with Huacaya "ss":
= 100% heterozygous suri offspring.
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Heterozygous Suri "Ss" with huacaya "ss"
= 50% Heterozygous suri, 50% Huacaya offspring.
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Heterozygous suri "Ss" with Heterozygous suri "Ss"
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Why Cross Suri and Huacaya?First cross suri also known as an F1 suri is from one suri parent (usually the male) and one huacaya parent. According to Ponzonies theory we know these are Heterozygous suri's so why would we do this. Surely it is better to breed homozygous suris so we know we will always get a suri? Firstly suri's were rare and therefore very expensive to purchase. One way of quickly boosting the numbers of suris available was to take advantage of the suri dominance and cross them with Huacaya. Then put these F1 suri's back to a suri male and very quickly increase the size of the suri population. It was also a good way to increase the number of coloured suri. Now days there are more suri available and this practice is no longer common. Is there anything wrong with a first cross or F1?Like all breeding it totally depends on the quality of the alpacas, suri or huacaya, male and female used in breeding. The main problem with a first cross is that you know it is a heterozygous suri and it may have a huacaya offspring unless mated to a homozygous male. |
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Suri Alpaca |
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Suri produce a rare beautiful fibre unlike that from any other animal. The best known suri trait is the outstanding natural luster but it also has a beautiful feel...Suri Fibre |
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Suri produce a rare beautiful fibre unlike that from any other animal. The best known suri trait is the outstanding natural luster but it also has a beautiful feel...Farming Alpaca |
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Alpacas are superb animals to farm as they are intelligent, easy to handle and very hardy. They also possess a very appealing and calming presence.History of Alpaca |
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Alpacas are members of the South American Camelid family. They are a domesticated animal, most likely descended from the vicuna...
