What color will a cat's fur be? - briefly
The color of a cat's fur is primarily determined by its genetics. Common colors include black, white, grey, and various shades of brown, with patterns such as tabby, calico, or tortoiseshell also possible.
What color will a cat's fur be? - in detail
The color of a cat's fur is determined by several genetic factors, and it can vary greatly among different breeds and even within the same litter. The primary determinants include the presence or absence of certain pigments, the distribution patterns of these pigments, and the modifying effects of other genes.
The most common pigment in cat fur is melanin, which comes in two forms: eumelanin (black or brown) and phaeomelanin (red or yellow). The gene that influences the production of eumelanin is called B (for Brown), while the gene for phaeomelanin is O (for Orange). If a cat has two copies of the B allele, it will have black fur. If it has one copy of the B allele and one copy of the O allele, it will be brown. Two copies of the O allele result in red fur. The dilution gene, D, can also affect these colors, creating a lighter shade. For example, a cat with two copies of the D allele and one or two copies of the B allele will have blue or lavender fur, respectively.
The pattern of a cat's coat is influenced by other genes as well. The gene T (for Tabby) determines whether the cat has stripes, whorls, or spots. Different combinations of T alleles can produce various patterns, such as classic tabby, mackerel tabby, spotted tabby, and ticked tabby. Another gene, S (for Sepia), affects how strongly the pattern is expressed. Cats with two copies of the S allele will have a distinctly marked coat, while those with one or no copies may have a more blurred pattern.
Additionally, the white spotting gene, S (not to be confused with the sepia gene), can introduce white patches into a cat's fur. This gene has several variants that produce different levels of white spotting, ranging from small marks on the chest and paws to extensive areas covering most of the body.
In conclusion, the color of a cat's fur is a complex interplay of multiple genes, each contributing a piece to the overall puzzle. Understanding these genetic factors allows us to predict with some accuracy what color a cat's fur will be, given its ancestry and the specific alleles it carries. However, due to the intricacy of genetics, there can still be surprises and variations even within closely related cats.