What kittens will result from crossing a black cat with a black cat? - briefly
When two black cats are crossed, the resulting kittens will also be black. This is because the gene for black fur is dominant, ensuring that the offspring inherit the same coat color as their parents.
What kittens will result from crossing a black cat with a black cat? - in detail
When two black cats are crossed, the resulting kittens can exhibit various color patterns due to the complex nature of feline genetics. The color black in cats is typically determined by the presence of specific alleles in their genetic makeup.
The gene responsible for black fur in cats is often referred to as the B (black) locus. There are two primary alleles at this locus: B (dominant) and b (recessive). A cat with the genotype BB or Bb will have black fur, while a cat with the genotype bb will not be black.
However, the expression of the black color can also be influenced by other genes, such as those involved in the dilution series (D) and the agouti series (A). For instance, the presence of the dilute gene (dd or Dd) can modify the black fur to become a lighter shade, known as blue. Similarly, the agouti gene can introduce tabby patterns if it is not masked by the dominant B allele.
In the case of crossing two black cats, several outcomes are possible depending on their specific genetic makeup:
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Black Kittens (BB or Bb): If both parent cats carry the dominant B allele, the resulting kittens will likely be black as well, inheriting at least one copy of the B allele.
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Non-black Kittens (bb): If both parents are heterozygous (Bb), there is a 25% chance that a kitten will inherit two recessive b alleles, resulting in a non-black coat color. The specific color and pattern depend on the presence of other modifying genes.
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Blue Kittens (dd or Dd): If the parents carry the dilute gene, some of the kittens may inherit this gene along with the black allele, resulting in a blue-gray coat color.
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Tabby Patterns (aa): If the agouti gene is present, it can introduce tabby patterns to the black fur, creating a distinctive coat appearance.
In summary, crossing two black cats can produce kittens that are black, blue, or have various tabby patterns, depending on the specific genetic makeup of the parents and the interaction of different genes involved in feline coloration.