Gene Glossary

A

The Agouti Locus ~ This controls the white belly and banding in the hair

  • A* - Agouti
  • a - non-agouti or self coloured

C

The Chinchilla or albino Locus ~ This controls the overall level of colour which is produced in a gerbils coat

  • C* - full colour
  • c(chm) - Chinchilla medium  - This reduces the colour intensity of the coat but leaves pigment at the extremities. It also slightly dilutes the eye pigments. The gene is temperature sensitive.
  • c(h) - Himalayan - This removes most of the coat pigments but leaves pigment at the tail. It also dilutes the eye colour to ruby. The gene is temperature sensitive. This action of this allele is severe when compared to Chinchilla Medium

D

The Dilution Locus ~ In the Mongolian gerbil this gene controls the Intensity of Black pigment, Yellow pigments are only marginally diluted but regain full colour as the gerbil ages.

  • D* -  Intense or full colour
  • d -  Dilutes Black.

E

The Extension Locus ~  This controls the balance between the black and yellow pigments in the coat.

  • E*- Normal extension of black and yellow in the coat.
  • e -  Extension of yellow, increases the yellow pigment in the coat at the expense of the black pigment.
  • e(f) - Extension of yellow fading, increases the yellow pigment at the expense of the black but the colour fades with the animals age.

P

Pink-Eyed Dilution Locus ~ This controls the eye colour and lightens the coat colour.

  • P* -  Non Pink eyed. (Eyes are Black)
  • p -  Removes nearly all the black pigment from the coat, leaves yellow pigments intact,and dilutes the eye colour to a ruby red.

Uw

The Underwhite or Cream Locus ~  This controls the black and yellow intensity of the coat.

  • Uw* -  Full colour.
  • uw-  Dilutes all  yellow pigment to cream, removes virtually all of the black pigments and dilutes the eye to a dark ruby.
  • uw(d) (Formerly g) Dilutes all yellow pigment to cream, dilutes black pigments to grey and slightly dilutes the eye pigment.

Sp

The Dominant Spotting Locus ~ A Semi-Dominant pre-natal lethal spotting gene controlling white spotting on the coat. Markings  can be extended by modifying genes, i.e spot to patch, patch to collared & collared to mottled, also dilutes the coat colour.
 

  • Sp* Spotted
  • **   Unspotted


Note: SpSp homozygotes are usually never born but are re-absorbed in the womb.  On rare occasions when one has either been born dead, or lived a day or so, it has been a black-eyed white pup.

 

Sls

Semi-Dominant Lethal Spotting ~   A second Semi-Dominant lethal spotting gene.  Homozygotes are born but die around 11 days to just over weaning age.

  • Sls* - Spotted (Minor spotting on feet, very large bib, small belly spot and occasionally head or neck spot.
  • **    -  Unspotted

Note: SlsSls Homozygotes have a small amount of pigment around the rump and face, the rest of the coat is white.

Wa

The Waved locus ~ A recessive hair structure mutation.  Homozygotes have wavy fur as juveniles.  Adult fur is shorter and plush.

  • Wa* - Normal fur
  • wa  - Waved fur.

Red

The Rexoid Locus ~ A dominant hair structure mutation that causes waving in the coat of juveniles.  Adults have a shorter, plush coat.  A similar acting gene to the Rex and Caracul alleles in the mouse.  As we do not know which gene it is at the moment, and for the sake of clarity, the term Rexoid is given to this particular hair waving variant.

  • Re(d)* - Rexoid (Typically, a rougher, more open coat than recessive waved)
  • **    -  Normal fur