Melanins and melanosomes from Llama(Lama glama L.)

Analysis of melanins and melanosomes in eight hair and skyn samples taken from adult pigmented argentine llamas (Lama glama l.,) were carried out. In each sample, eumelanins, pheomelanins and alkali-soluble melanins were identified. The total amount of melanins and the amount of eumelanins both decreased from black to reddish brown colour, while pheomelanins were present in small quantities in all samples. The ultrastructural morphological features of melanosomes from dark brown and light brown coloured animals at different developmental stages were described.