Mutant allele frequencies in domestic cat populations of Macedonia (Yugoslavia)

Abstract

Three domestic cat populations from Yugoslavia (Bitola, Ohrid, Struga) were surveyed at six colour loci (orange, non agouti, tabby, dilute, piebald spotting, dominant white) and one coat length locus (long hair, allele l). Statistically significant differences were obtained in frequencies of alleles: O, a, l and W. Human preferences and cultural contacts with other countries especially Turkey are discussed in the paper. Genetic distance analysis did not show that Macedonian populations are more similar to Turkish or Greek ones than populations from Dalmatia, where Turkish influence was absent, although there are similarities between Macedonian and Turkish populations as far as the O allele is concerned. There was a statistically significant correlation between the duration of Turkish rule in the middle and eastern part of the Mediterranean and O and l alleles frequencies.