If a black cat and a black cat mate, what color will the kittens be? - briefly
When two black cats mate, the resulting kittens will typically also be black. This is due to the dominant nature of the black fur gene, which ensures that the offspring inherit the black coat color from both parents.
If a black cat and a black cat mate, what color will the kittens be? - in detail
The color of kittens resulting from the mating of two black cats is determined by the genetic principles governing feline coat color inheritance. To understand this, it is essential to delve into the genetics of black fur in cats.
Black fur in cats is typically the result of the presence of the dominant allele B at the B locus, which is responsible for the production of black pigment (eumelanin). However, there are other genes and modifiers that can influence the expression of this color. For instance, the gene responsible for the tabby pattern can be present but masked by the black color, and the melanistic mask gene, which is responsible for the black color on the face, can also be present.
When two black cats mate, several genetic scenarios can occur, leading to a variety of possible coat colors in their offspring. The possible genotypes for black cats include:
- BB (homozygous dominant for black)
- Bb (heterozygous for black, carrying one recessive allele for another color, such as brown)
If both parent cats are homozygous dominant (BB), all their kittens will also be black, as they will inherit one B allele from each parent. However, if one or both parents are heterozygous (Bb), the kittens can inherit a recessive allele (b), leading to different possible coat colors.
Here are the potential outcomes based on the genotypes of the parents:
-
BB (black) x BB (black):
- All kittens will be black (BB).
-
BB (black) x Bb (black):
- 50% of the kittens will be black (BB).
- 50% of the kittens will be black (Bb), but may carry the recessive allele for another color.
-
Bb (black) x Bb (black):
- 25% of the kittens will be black (BB).
- 50% of the kittens will be black (Bb), but may carry the recessive allele for another color.
- 25% of the kittens will express the recessive trait (bb), which could result in brown (chocolate) or other colors, depending on additional modifiers.
Moreover, other genes and modifiers can influence the coat color. For example, the presence of the tabby pattern gene can result in kittens with black tabby markings. The melanistic mask gene can produce kittens with black faces. Additionally, the presence of the dilute gene (D) can lighten the black color to blue (gray).
In summary, while mating two black cats can result in black kittens, the genetic diversity within the parents can lead to a variety of coat colors and patterns in the offspring. The specific outcomes depend on the underlying genotypes of the parent cats and the interaction of various genes and modifiers.