Roan coat colour (KITLG-related) - Alpaca

Roan coat colour in alpacas

This genetic test assesses the KITLG-associated copy-number variant linked with roan, also called roaning or roan coat pattern, in alpacas. Roan describes a coat appearance in which pigmented fibres are mixed with lighter or white fibres. The result can look speckled, marbled or evenly blended, depending on the base colour and fibre distribution.

What does roan mean in practice?

• Coat pattern: roan mainly affects the mixture of light and pigmented fibres, rather than representing one solid colour.
• Genetic context: the test examines a CNV near KITLG, a gene involved in pigmentation.
• Interpretation: one or two copies of the tested roan-associated variant support the presence of this genetic factor.

Practical value of this test

The result helps breeders recognise roan as a heritable colour and pattern factor, including animals in which the appearance is less obvious because of base colour or other loci. This supports planned matings, colour planning and distinction from other diluted, spotted or mixed coat patterns. Other coat-colour genes can still influence the final expression.

The trait follows autosomal incomplete dominant inheritance.