Cat Coat Genetics

1
Cat Coat Genetics
Purpose
Distinguish phenotypes
Deduce genotypes
Explore interactions between genes
Definitions
Phenotype the observable genetic characteristics
Genotype the specific genetic makeup
2
Genetic Notation
Upper Case/Underlined dominant allele
W C S
Lower Case recessive alleles
w c s
Question Mark unknown allele
WW or Ww W?
3
The Genetic Pathway for Cat Coat Characteristics
Yellow/Orange
Y
I
C
Intermediate
Precursor
W
S
D
T
A
B
Black
O
Orange
4
The W Gene Dominant-White
W?
W blocks coat color
Only ww cats have any color!
5
The S Gene Piebald-Spotting
Ss
SS
Less than 50 white
More than 50 white
6
The C Gene Color
cc
C?
Full color
True albino
7
C Gene Temperature Sensitivity
cb?
cs?
Burmese
Siamese
C gt cb cs gt c
8
The B Gene Black Pigment
B?
bb
Full pigment production
Reduced pigment production
9
The XO Gene Orange
XO?
Orange gene is on the X Chromosome
10
Multi-Colored Cats
XOXo
XOXo
Only female cats can have two colors!
11
The A Gene Agouti
aa
A?
??
12
The T Gene Tabby
Ta
T
tb
Abyssinian
Mackerel
Blotched / Classic
13
The Y Gene Yellow/Orange Variant
Y?
14
The I Gene Inhibition
I?
Silver Tabby
15
The D Gene Color Density
dd
dd
Dilute black blue
Dilute orange cream
16
Easy Example - Male Cat
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
SS
D?
C?
B?
XoY
tt
??
??
??
17
Slightly Harder Example
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
Ss
dd
C?
B?
XOXo
T?
??
??
??
18
Complex Example
19
Complex Example
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
ss
D?
C?
B?
XOXo
tt
??
??
??
20
Complex Example
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
Ss
dd
C?
B?
XOY
T?
??
??
??
21
Complex Example
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
ss
D?
C?
B?
XoXo
T?
aa
??
??
22
Complex Example
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
Ss
D?
C?
B?
XoXo
T?
A?
Y?
ii
23
Complex Example
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
ss
D?
C?
B?
XOXo
tt
??
??
??
ww
ss
Dd
C?
B?
XOXo
tt
?a
??
?i
Dad
?w
Ss
?d
??
??
XoY
T?
?a
??
?i
ww
Ss
dd
C?
B?
XOY
T?
??
??
??
ww
ss
D?
C?
B?
XoXo
T?
aa
??
??
ww
Ss
D?
C?
B?
XoXo
T?
A?
Y?
ii
24
Trick Question - Chimera!
W S D C B O T A Y
I
ww
SS
Dd
C?
B?
XOXo
tb?
A?
Y?
I?
ww
SS
D?
C?
B?
XoY
tb?
A?
Y?
I?
ww
SS
dd
C?
B?
XOY
tb?
??
??
??
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Mutant Cats Coat
26
Mutant Cats Ears
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Mutant Cats Tail
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Mutant Cats Legs