![]() ![]() Not shown in the preceding table are two further mutations in the albino series which always have solid white coats, regardless of the other genes for pigmentation. These are alleles at the albino (C) locus when they are combined (cb/cs), as in the Tonkinese, “mink” colors are produced. The Burmese carries the gene for Sepia color (cb) and the Siamese carries the gene for Pointed color (cs). Another set of mutations of color has been introduced with the Siamese and Burmese cats from Asia. The mutations described above have been seen and described in cats in Europe and and the Western Hemisphere for hundreds of years. Finally, the black patches of a Tortie may actually be any of the black-based colors, so you may see a Chocolate Tortie or a Cinnamon Tortie, and, if dilution is also present, a Lilac-Cream Tortie or a Fawn-Cream Tortie. Such dilute Torties are usually called Blue-Cream. The Tortoiseshell can be modified by dilution, which gives a patchwork of blue and cream rather than black and orange. Some “Torties” have large patches of orange, others are mostly black. This combination of red and black is called Tortoiseshell.Ī typical Tortoiseshell is a patchwork of black and orange, usually in a random pattern. However, many females carry the Red gene on only one chromosome, which allows the black-based pigmentation to show through in patches. Females have two X chromosomes if both X chromosomes carry the Red gene, then the cat will be Red. Males normally only have one X chromosome and so if a male carries the Red gene at all, he will be Red. The Red gene (O) is carried on the X chromosome for this reason it is sex-linked. The symbol for the gene for Red/Cream is (O) Black is recessive to Red. Cream is the dilute form of Red, and is described as a buff color. Red is usually described as orange or “marmalade”, but some red cats have rather pale pigmentation and so people may describe them as yellow. In comparison, the red-based (phaeomelanistic) colors have much less variation. Dilution is a mutation at the (D) locus dilution is recessive to dense coloration. Fawn is the dilute form of Cinnamon it is described as “coffee and cream” or caramel color. Lilac is the dilute form of Chocolate it is described as dove or light taupe gray, and is sometimes called frost or lavender. Blue is the dilute form of Black it is commonly seen as various shades of gray. These colors are due to clustering of the particles of pigment in the hair shaft. These are alleles at the (B) locus Chocolate is recessive to Black, and Cinnamon is recessive to Chocolate.Ī mutation of the gene for Dense coloration produces Blue, Lilac, and Fawn. Cinnamon is a terra-cotta or burnt sienna color. The Chocolate color is a medium to dark brown color it is sometimes called chestnut. These colors are thought to be due to a smaller number of eumelanin granules in the hair shaft. Mutations of the gene for Black give rise to Chocolate and Cinnamon. The following table lists the commonly accepted names for the basic colors, by genotype: The most variation is found in the black-based (eumelanistic) colors. Several genes can cause variation in the density of the the melanin granules, so other colors can be produced. Phaeomelanin granules are thought to be elongated “footballs” in shape, and reflect light in the red-orange-yellow range. Eumelanin granules are thought to be spherical in shape and absorb almost all light, giving black pigmentation. ![]() There are two chemically different kinds of melanin: eumelanin and phaeomelanin. Melanin is deposited in the hair shafts in the form of microscopic granules which vary in shape, size, and arrangement, giving a variety of colors. The colors in hair, skin, and eyes are caused by the presence of melanin. It does not attempt to explain the mechanisms of inheritance nor the formulas for calculating the possible outcomes of particular breedings. This article attempts to introduce and describe the colors and patterns of domestic cats and the names that are given to them. Many people have expressed confusion over the names that cat fanciers apply to the coat colors and patterns, so this article has been written to help explain the names given to the possible colors and patterns, and why these names are applied. The names given to these colors and patterns are increasingly based on genetic theory. You may want to read section A first to become familiar with cat color terminology.ĭomestic cats exhibit a rich variety of coat patterns and colors. If you are interested in the genetics of different colors and in what colors are theoretically possible, read section B. If you want to read about which colors are commonly seen in cats, or if you want to know what your cat’s color is called, read section A. Copyright © 1994-2004 Orca Starbuck and David Thomas ( Contents This FAQ covers common cat colors, basic color terminology, and color genetics. ![]()
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