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unique colors (framapiaf.org)
submitted 1 hour ago by [M] to c/cat@lemmy.world
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[–] 7 points 1 hour ago (4 children)

What? How does this happen? This is a serious question about biology. Other than chimera, I can't think of a plausible mechanism.

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  • [–] 4 points 48 minutes ago* (1 child)

    It could also be mosaicism, where a mutation early in development led to some cell lines having black fur and others to having white. I dunno enough about cat genetics to say how close those genes are/how easily one can mutate into the other vs the likelihood of it being a chimera.

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  • [–] 1 point 7 minutes ago

    This would work of the cells producing the pigment stayed put during development. However, they migrate from neural crest on the back. That's why you get white spots on parts of a body far from back - belly, forehead, paws etc. This pattern is a problem with migratory capabilities of the melanocytes, they simply don't reach these parts of the body co male pigments there.

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