Thank you for participating in the Color Genetics and EPDs for Alpaca Breeders Seminar taught by Dr. Andy Merriwether on Aug 17, 2013.

The document links below have been provided by Dr. Merriwether and cover topics that were discussed at the seminar.  They are intended for participants only. 

A message from Dr. Merriwether


Call for Participation:
I have started a DNA bank for future use mapping potentially genetic diseases and phenotypic traits in alpacas and other camelids. Now that the alpaca genome project is completed, and the first alpaca genome has been completely sequenced, we can really dive into finding the genes involved in camelid health, disease, and various phenotypes of interest to breeders. To this end I thought it would be prudent to start banking blood samples from any animals that have any unusual traits, as well as blood from animals of every color, pattern and from every region of the world. This includes animals that are born with defects (even born dead). I have been funded by ARF to map the genes map the Suri allele with the goal of developing genetic tests to offer the industry. I am working on grants to map the gene(s) for color genetics and am collecting bloods in order to map choanal atresia, wry face, polydactyly, cataracts, heart murmurs, and other common congenital defects in camelids. If I can accumulate enough samples (blood or tissue, and fiber), I will submit grants to map these and other traits as well. I am using the data collected already to map coat and skin color and pattern in camelids, but I need several thousand blood samples to really do this properly. To do all this, I need blood or tissue samples from the animals with the traits under study, as well as from the dam and sire (if possible), and any other blood relatives. This would all be strictly confidential. I have already received over 750 blood and tissue samples, but will need 50-100 cases and their parents for each trait to map any of these. This is for all camelids, and my bank includes alpacas, llamas, camels, vicunas, and guanacos. The animals do not have to be registered. It would help me to have any vet information describing the condition, and if any of the animals (affected or not) have ARI or CLCC or Australian registry numbers it would help me to have them as well. Again, this is strictly confidential. I am not restricting it to the problems listed here. I am interest in any traits in alpacas, unique or common. In general, I especially am interested in any potentially disease-related phenotypes or unusual non-disease-related phenotypes (traits). Since I am also mapping genes for coat color and pattern, and every animal has a color and pattern, if you have a group of related animals and wish to participate, I am happy to accept samples. Every little bit helps.  If you are already drawing blood for other reasons from an animal (BVDV, progesterone, transport papers, ARI registration, etc…), ask you vet to draw an extra purple top tube for me. Many vets will not charge for blood draws for research if you have them do it when they are already coming out.  I can also use blood spotted on FTA cards, although I get far more DNA from the tubes.

I will be happy to talk to anyone about this on the phone or by email.  Phone at home is 607-785-8226. Lab is 607-777-6707. Email is [email protected]

For now, I am establishing this registry with my own funds (ie doing the extractions from blood and tissue samples and storing them at -80C). If enough samples materialize, I will be able to apply for funding to help pay for this. For now, it is based on your generosity to spend the money to draw the bloods and mail them to me. Blood should be in a lavender top tube (EDTA Vacuutainer) , ideally 1-6 mls. It should be overnight mailed to me (ideally) within 72 hours of drawing it. It should be refrigerated (not frozen) until it is mailed, and can be sent with a blue-ice pack or room temperature if it is not too hot.  You need to email me to warn me it is coming, and all related paperwork should accompany the samples, which should be labeled clearly so I know what is what. Also include your name and contact information in the package.

Express mail to:

D. Andrew Merriwether Lab
Department of Biology
Binghamton University
210 Science III Bldg.
4400 Parkway East
PO Box 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

Lab Phone: 607-777-6707

Final note:  If you have a cria that has died, I can DNA from any kind of tissue sample, the placenta, even fiber samples (although the yield from fiber is quite poor). I can even extract DNA from blood that has been stored in a fridge or freezer for years. I get less DNA out of such samples, but they are still useful. Please ask you vet to save blood or tissue from any cria that dies or is euthanized.


Background on me:
I am currently an associate professor of anthropology and biology at Binghamton University (since 2002). I have a BA in Medical Anthropology, a BS in Biology, an MS in Genetics, a Ph.D. in Human Genetics, and three years postdoctoral training at the Keck Center for Advanced Training in Computational Biology. I was an assistant professor in two departments and two centers at the University of Michigan from 1996-2002 (Anthropolgy, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, the Center for Statistical Genetics, and the Center for Molecular and Clinical Epidemiology of Infectious Diseases (MACEPID)).

With my wife, Ann Merriwether (Faculty in Psychology Dept. and in the School of Human Development at Binghamton University), I co-own Nyala Farm Alpacas, where we currently have over 90 alpacas (90+ Huacayas). We have owned alpacas since 2001. We also breed Wensleydale Sheep (long wooled Suri-style sheep), Jacob’s Sheep (spotted crimpy huacaya style sheep), French Angora Rabbits, and Clydesdale/Drum Horses.

I have served on the Alpaca Research Foundation Board of directors, the ARI Board of Directors, and Scientific Advisory Board of the ARI, and the Breed Standards Committee for the Empire Alpaca Association. Ann and I have written numerous articles on alpaca genetics for various alpaca and camelid trade journals.

Conflict of Interest:
I hope to develop commercial tests to test for the presence of various traits and diseases that I think will benefit the industry and be desirable to alpaca owners and breeders. I also hope some of them will benefit me financially someday as well, but if not, I love solving a good mystery.