How Is Cat Pattern Inherited? A Deep Dive into True and False Tabby Cats, Ghost Patterns and Various Pattern Types
How Is Cat Pattern Inherited? A Deep Dive into True and False Tabby Cats, Ghost Patterns and Various Pattern Types
Cat patterns are always fascinating, their unique designs are like works of art given by nature, making people want to explore them. For cat owners, understanding the genetic laws of cat patterns can not only help us better understand the uniqueness of cats, but also help us predict the pattern types of the next generation of cats.
I. The Secret of Cat Pattern Inheritance: TABBY Gene and AGOUTI Gene
Cat pattern inheritance involves two key genes: the TABBY gene and the AGOUTI gene. The TABBY gene is responsible for determining the basic shape of the cat's pattern, while the AGOUTI gene controls whether the pattern is visible.
1. TABBY Gene: Shaping the Pattern Shape
There are four types of TABBY genes:
Mackerel Tabby: Striped, like the flesh of mackerel, is the most common pattern type.
Classic Tabby: Swirled, like a bullseye, often called "bullseye".
Spotted Tabby: Spotted, as if sprinkled with pepper.
Ticked Tabby: Small spots, dotted, as if dyed with spots.
2. AGOUTI Gene: Determining the Appearance of the Pattern
The AGOUTI gene is a dominant gene that determines whether the TABBY gene's pattern information is expressed. If a cat carries the AGOUTI gene, the pattern will be clearly visible, known as a "true tabby"; conversely, if a cat does not carry the AGOUTI gene, the pattern will not be visible, known as a "false tabby".
II. The Mystery of True and False Tabby Cats
True Tabby: Carries the AGOUTI gene, with a clearly visible pattern.
False Tabby: Does not carry the AGOUTI gene, the pattern is not visible, but may appear as a "ghost pattern" on red or cream cats.
1. Special Case of Red Cats: Ghost Pattern
In red cats, due to the light color of the fur, even if they do not carry the AGOUTI gene, they may still show patterns, known as "ghost patterns". Ghost patterns are usually more obvious in kittens and gradually disappear as the cat grows older.
2. Distinguishing True and False Tabby Cats
To distinguish between true and false tabby cats, you can refer to the following characteristics:
White Chin: True tabby cats usually have a white or near-white chin, while false tabby cats may have a cream or the same color as the corresponding pattern color.
White Eyeliner: True tabby cats have a white eyeliner around their eyes, while false tabby cats do not.
Tail Rings: True tabby cats have rings on their tails from the tip to the root, while false tabby cats' tail rings are usually not visible underneath the tail. This feature is more obvious in short-haired cats.
III. Common Pattern Types
Black Pattern: Includes brown tabby, blue tabby, black tabby, chocolate tabby, lilac tabby, etc. All black tabby patterns are "true tabby".
Red Pattern: Includes red tabby, cream tabby, cameo tabby, etc. Red tabby patterns may appear as "true tabby" or "false tabby".
IV. Summary
Cat pattern inheritance is a complex process that is influenced by the TABBY gene and the AGOUTI gene. Understanding the mechanisms of these genes can help us better understand the diversity of cat patterns, as well as predict the pattern types of the next generation of cats.
Insights and Experience Summary:
Understanding the genetic laws of cat patterns can help us better understand the uniqueness of cats.
The difference between true and false tabby cats lies mainly in the presence of the AGOUTI gene.
Red cats may exhibit "ghost patterns", even if they do not carry the AGOUTI gene, they may still show patterns.
Observing features such as white chin, white eyeliner and tail rings can help us judge true and false tabby cats.
Cat patterns are always fascinating, their unique designs are like works of art given by nature, making people want to explore them. For cat owners, understanding the genetic laws of cat patterns can not only help us better understand the uniqueness of cats, but also help us predict the pattern types of the next generation of cats.
I. The Secret of Cat Pattern Inheritance: TABBY Gene and AGOUTI Gene
Cat pattern inheritance involves two key genes: the TABBY gene and the AGOUTI gene. The TABBY gene is responsible for determining the basic shape of the cat's pattern, while the AGOUTI gene controls whether the pattern is visible.
1. TABBY Gene: Shaping the Pattern Shape
There are four types of TABBY genes:
Mackerel Tabby: Striped, like the flesh of mackerel, is the most common pattern type.
Classic Tabby: Swirled, like a bullseye, often called "bullseye".
Spotted Tabby: Spotted, as if sprinkled with pepper.
Ticked Tabby: Small spots, dotted, as if dyed with spots.
2. AGOUTI Gene: Determining the Appearance of the Pattern
The AGOUTI gene is a dominant gene that determines whether the TABBY gene's pattern information is expressed. If a cat carries the AGOUTI gene, the pattern will be clearly visible, known as a "true tabby"; conversely, if a cat does not carry the AGOUTI gene, the pattern will not be visible, known as a "false tabby".
II. The Mystery of True and False Tabby Cats
True Tabby: Carries the AGOUTI gene, with a clearly visible pattern.
False Tabby: Does not carry the AGOUTI gene, the pattern is not visible, but may appear as a "ghost pattern" on red or cream cats.
1. Special Case of Red Cats: Ghost Pattern
In red cats, due to the light color of the fur, even if they do not carry the AGOUTI gene, they may still show patterns, known as "ghost patterns". Ghost patterns are usually more obvious in kittens and gradually disappear as the cat grows older.
2. Distinguishing True and False Tabby Cats
To distinguish between true and false tabby cats, you can refer to the following characteristics:
White Chin: True tabby cats usually have a white or near-white chin, while false tabby cats may have a cream or the same color as the corresponding pattern color.
White Eyeliner: True tabby cats have a white eyeliner around their eyes, while false tabby cats do not.
Tail Rings: True tabby cats have rings on their tails from the tip to the root, while false tabby cats' tail rings are usually not visible underneath the tail. This feature is more obvious in short-haired cats.
III. Common Pattern Types
Black Pattern: Includes brown tabby, blue tabby, black tabby, chocolate tabby, lilac tabby, etc. All black tabby patterns are "true tabby".
Red Pattern: Includes red tabby, cream tabby, cameo tabby, etc. Red tabby patterns may appear as "true tabby" or "false tabby".
IV. Summary
Cat pattern inheritance is a complex process that is influenced by the TABBY gene and the AGOUTI gene. Understanding the mechanisms of these genes can help us better understand the diversity of cat patterns, as well as predict the pattern types of the next generation of cats.
Insights and Experience Summary:
Understanding the genetic laws of cat patterns can help us better understand the uniqueness of cats.
The difference between true and false tabby cats lies mainly in the presence of the AGOUTI gene.
Red cats may exhibit "ghost patterns", even if they do not carry the AGOUTI gene, they may still show patterns.
Observing features such as white chin, white eyeliner and tail rings can help us judge true and false tabby cats.
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