Posted by STRAY on Jan 9, 2024 1:57:44 GMT
This is intended to be a simplified and easier-to-read version of our previous Cat Coat Genetics guide (found here in the Breeding section). This guide assumes you have a basic understanding of genetics (dominant vs. recessive genes, Punnett squares, etc.). This guide also contains a condensed version of our Gene String guide as a reply.
Windsong operates on mostly-realistic genetics for its cats. Stylization in art is allowed, and we're very lenient with how you interpret colors and patterns. Still, your OC should have at least a little bit of grounding in real-world cat coat genetics. This is so that our breeding system both works smoothly and has lots of traits to roll for, so that each kit is actually a combo of their parents!
You may always ask me for direct help with what would be considered "realistic" or not in case you find any part of this guide confusing. Cats are complicated!
Diluting (d) these colors gives you blue, lilac, fawn, and cream, respectively.
Note that red cats always show tabby stripes in some capacity due to the way the agouti gene interacts with the red gene.
White spotting (Ws) is variable in cats. It is dominant over no white spotting. Generally, one copy of the allele gives you a cat with less than 50% coverage (Wsws), while two copies of the allele give you over 50% coverage (WsWs).
Pointing is a type of albinism. There are multiple alleles, but for the sake of brevity, you need two colorpoint alleles for a Siamese-type cat. This is very recessive, second only to albino cats.
Tortoiseshells/calicos can be affected by all the same coat modifications as other cats. These cats are always born female, barring mutations, because two X genes are necessary to have both colors.
Windsong operates on mostly-realistic genetics for its cats. Stylization in art is allowed, and we're very lenient with how you interpret colors and patterns. Still, your OC should have at least a little bit of grounding in real-world cat coat genetics. This is so that our breeding system both works smoothly and has lots of traits to roll for, so that each kit is actually a combo of their parents!
You may always ask me for direct help with what would be considered "realistic" or not in case you find any part of this guide confusing. Cats are complicated!
THE BASICS
Black (B), chocolate (b), and cinnamon (b1/bl) are the three alleles of the eumelanin gene. Red is dominant over black, and is marked with an O on the X gene.Diluting (d) these colors gives you blue, lilac, fawn, and cream, respectively.
AGOUTI GENE
The agouti gene modifies an animal's coat such that the animal's hair shafts present alternating bands of dark and light colors. In cats, this creates tabbies (A). These are dominant over solid-colored cats (a).Note that red cats always show tabby stripes in some capacity due to the way the agouti gene interacts with the red gene.
COAT MODIFICATIONS
The tabby pattern can be further modified by additional genes. Mackerel tabby (Mc) is dominant over classic tabby (mc). Spotted tabby (Sp) is a modification of mackerel tabby, so genetically classic cats cannot be spotted. Ticked tabby (Ta) is dominant and masks every other tabby pattern, but the cat still carries the base pattern in its genes. You get Abyssinian-type cats when you get two Ta alleles.White spotting (Ws) is variable in cats. It is dominant over no white spotting. Generally, one copy of the allele gives you a cat with less than 50% coverage (Wsws), while two copies of the allele give you over 50% coverage (WsWs).
Pointing is a type of albinism. There are multiple alleles, but for the sake of brevity, you need two colorpoint alleles for a Siamese-type cat. This is very recessive, second only to albino cats.
Tortoiseshells/calicos can be affected by all the same coat modifications as other cats. These cats are always born female, barring mutations, because two X genes are necessary to have both colors.