Genie Home Screen with Menu
Congratulations on purchasing your copy of the Dark Sky Genie.
The first thing to do is forward your alpacas' details, their NEOGEN colour test results and ideally profile pictures of them [taken when dry] to the Genie's magic lamp at Dark Sky Alpacas. We have created a handy pre-formatted spreadsheet for the data that you need to send, which you can download at checkout.
We will then quickly compile your very own and unique copy of the Dark Sky Genie and return it by email or large file transfer.
Once you've loaded your copy of the Genie, just pick an option and off you go!
The 'Genie' - calculates possible mating outcomes
My Females - a catalogue of your females by colour code
My Males - a catalogue of your males by colour code
Compare Matings - look at up to 3 matings side by side
Add Alpacas - add new alpacas as you receive new test results
Print Mating Outcome - print your individual mating outcomes
Get The 'Genie' working straight away by using the 2 simple drop down menus to choose your breeding combination, then sit back while the Genie translates the NEOGEN test result data into the detailed genetic codes for your selected alpacas.
The Genie then gives you 3 sets of results.
The first is the basic outcome probabilities along with the most probable coat colours that are associated with the codes. The colour chart gives an easy way to view the colour range that these codes relate to.
The second set of results use the ASIP and MC1R allele mutations data to produce a fine tuned set of probabilities. Research into the affect of the MC1R mutations in particular is limited at the moment, but the ASIP numbers appear to be key to unlocking more understanding of colour intensity.
The third result is the overall 'True Black' phenotype probability based on the summation of the observed likelihoods of getting a true black from each possible outcome.
The Genie true black probability calculation relies on the observed outcomes from a US Study (see Understanding the Black Base Coat Color Genotype in the References section). They observed “181 animals that had “aa” ASIP base coat color genotypes and carried either zero or one MC1R gene dilution mutations. That is the animal’s base coat color genotypes were summarized as either EE aa or Ee aa...”
As per the Study findings The Genie assumes that there isn’t a difference in black probability associated with a single non-functional mutation in MC1R (a little 'e'), as their observed results weren't statistically significant to suggest otherwise. However, they acknowledged that they believe there is a high chance that a single little ‘e’ does reduce the true black base coat colour odds.
Similarly the academic research is inconclusive at this stage (see Identification of six genomic regions associated with pigment intensity in alpacas in the References section).
So, this is one area The Genie will keep a close eye on and will update the calculation as required.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Dark Sky Genie is the example photographs returned for each of the detailed outcome results.
These are anonymised images of actual alpacas with the same detailed colour codes drawn from an ever expanding library.
Over time this will become a rich repository of reference data to support and enhance further academic research into the understanding of alpaca colour genetics.
and finally.... The Genie allows you to print a copy of the results associated with each mating combination.
Recently added, the comparison tool allows you to look at the mating resuls from up to 3 pairs - you can keep the female the same, the male the same or look at 3 completely different parings - its up to you!
Another new feature shows you a complete catalogue of your alpacas, grouped by basic colour code and also showing their detailed codes and photos. A really easy way to visualise your alpacas and help you to select who to include in your mating options.
You can add additional alpacas along with their colour test results and update key fleece stats for all your alpacas - remember it's as much about fleece quality as it is colour.
Watch a short video tutorial of
how to use and get the most from the Genie
You need to have the latest version of Excel which is part of Microsoft 365. Earlier versions of Excel (2013, 2016, 2019) are no longer supported by Microsoft and do not have all the latest functions used by The Genie.
You can upgrade (PC or Mac) to Microsoft 365 via this link https://support.microsoft.com/en-gb/office/install-office-updates-2ab296f3-7f03-43a2-8e50-46de917611c5 There is an option for a 1-month free trial which can be found here https://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/microsoft-365/try
To set up your copy of the Dark Sky Genie you will need to provide the registry information requested, crucially all your Neogen Colour Genetics data and ideally a photograph of each alpaca. Once these are received our aim is for you to have a working copy available within a week. Timing will be confirmed when you place your order.
If you provide photos of your alpacas it will help to improve the photo library to provide you and other Genie users a better understanding of likely mating outcomes. It will also allow us to feed into further academic research.
The annual update is optional. Depending on how recently you had an ad hoc update, you may want to consider the annual update which will be available just prior to most annual mating decisions being made.
Once the Neogen Colour Test results have been provided for both alpacas in the mating scenario, the results will be emailed back to you within 2 business days.
No. Any photos you provide will be placed in the library annotated with the short and long genetic colour testing results of the alpaca - but the alpacas will not be named.
We will use best endeavours to incorporate any new knowledge in the Dark Sky Genie™ code and will provide it as a free update to licence holders. This commitment is subject to the nature of the new knowledge and whether it is possible to encode it in the Dark Sky Genie™ software.
On a best endeavours basis, we will aim to incorporate this into the Dark Sky Genie™ code and provide a free update to licence holders.
Bundles are valid for 12 months from the date of purchase
Holding a licence gives you a copy of the Dark Sky Genie™ on your own computer. It allows you to build your own database of females and males over time and helps you track your outcomes against expectations. The licence allows totally unlimited use of the Genie - although we do ask that this is only for your own herd or potential external matings involving your alpacas.
The Unlimited Bundle allows for any number of Dark Sky Genie results within 12 months of purchase.
The Dark Sky Genie™ simply presents any fleece data you've supplied or entered alongside the mating choice. This is to help breeders take a more rounded mating decision in addition to colour probability.
The output of the True Black Phenotype predictor in the Dark Sky Genie™ launch version is modelled on observations made of the Snowmass and Cotton Creek Alpaca Herds in the USA. The sample size was 181 alpacas and their phenotype (observed colour) was mapped against their Neogen Genetic Colour results. This has been translated into a set of probabilities for any particular genetic code resulting in a particular observed colour phenotype.
Not that we know of. Building up our database of photos which show the phenotype of alpacas with specific genetic codes will help us to build a progressively deeper understanding of all the factors involved.
We recommend you watch the video tutorial above and you can also email us directly at tomandwendy@darkskyalpacas.com