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Coat Color Genetics

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Feline Dermatology

Abstract

The various breeds of cats differ considerably one from the other, not only in terms of their different morphological features but also in terms of the colour, length, structure and texture of their coat. The feline coat has various functions, such as aesthetic and mimetic, heat regulation, perception of the body position through vibrissae and tylotrich pads, social and sexual communication, and acts as a barrier against mechanical, physical and chemical insults. In the first part of this chapter, the morphology and cycle of the hair are briefly introduced, including melanin synthesis. In the second part, the genetics of hair length, structure, texture, colour and colour patterns are detailed, providing a good description to understand the specific functional aspects of the feline coat.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Veterinaria Gran Sasso, Milan, Italy

    Maria Cristina Crosta

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  1. Maria Cristina Crosta
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Peveragno, Italy

    Chiara Noli

  2. Servizi Dermatologici Veterinari, Legnano, Italy

    Silvia Colombo

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Crosta, M.C. (2020). Coat Color Genetics. In: Noli, C., Colombo, S. (eds) Feline Dermatology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-29836-4_2

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