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The cinnamon coat is also encoded by a recessive allele ( b1) of the primary gene for coat color (B/b/b1). The intensity and pattern of the brown coat will be further shaped by other coat-related genes. For a cat to appear brown, it has to carry two recessive alleles (homozygous) for brown coloration ( b/b). The dominant version of this gene, ( B), codes for black fur, and because it’s a dominant allele, it’s naturally a lot more commonly observed than brown fur. The chocolate (or brown) coat color is encoded by a recessive allele b of the primary gene for coat color (B/b/b1). This article will list only some of the rarest coat colors and patterns in cats, while the genetics of feline coat is explained in this detailed article where we describe the function, expression and interaction of some of the most important known genes associated with your cat’s fur. Genetics of feline coat is so complex that we are still learning new information about each associated gene, its variants, expression and interaction with other genes. Texture and length are defined by a number of completely unrelated genes.
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The color itself depends on the expression and interaction of at least five different genes described so far, while the coat pattern is shaped by additional genes. Background informationīefore digging up the rare gems from the pool of colorful kitties, it is worth mentioning that feline coat color, pattern, texture and length are all determined by many different genes.
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“The cat has been described as the most perfect animal, the acme of muscular perfection and the supreme example in the animal kingdom of the coordination of mind and muscle.” – R. Following are the top 10 rarest coat colors and patterns in cats. The captivating colors of your special little kitty are written within its DNA, and some variations seem to be particularly precious and exotic. Black, white, brown, orange, or a bit of everything? Cats come in so many different colors and patterns that it’s simply too difficult to choose a favorite.
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