Cats, like all living organisms, occasionally have mutations that affect their body type. Sometimes, these changes in body type are striking enough that humans select for and perpetuate them. This is not always in the best interests of the cat, as many of these mutations are harmful; some are lethal in their homozygous form. Binomial name Felis catus Linnaeus, 1758 Synonyms Felis lybica invalid junior synonym The cat (or domestic cat, house cat) is a small carnivorous mammal. ... It has been suggested that mutant be merged into this article or section. ... Trinomial name Homo sapiens sapiens Linnaeus, 1758 Humans, or human beings, are bipedal primates belonging to the mammalian species Homo sapiens (Latin: wise man or knowing man) in the family Hominidae (the great apes). ... Lethal injection is used as a method of capital punishment that involves injecting the condemned with fatal doses of drugs to cause death. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ...

This page gives a selection of cat body type mutant alleles and the associated mutations with a brief description. For the hard rock band, see Allele (band). ...

Tail Types

Jb = Japanese bobtail gene (dominant with incomplete penetrance). Cats heterozygous for this gene have abnormal tails, but unlike the Manx cat there are no associated skeletal disorders and the gene is not associated with lethality. A Calico (called Mi-ke) Japanese Bobtail cat The Japanese Bobtail is a breed of cat with an unusual bobbed tail more closely resembling the tail of a rabbit than that of an ordinary feline. ... For a non-technical introduction to the topic, see Introduction to Genetics. ... In genetics, the term dominant gene refers to the allele that causes a phenotype that is seen in a heterozygous genotype. ... An organism is a heterozygote or heterozygous for a gene or trait if it has different alleles at the genes locus for each homologous chromosome. ... A scorpion tail The tail is the section at the rear end of an animals body; in general, the term refers to a distinct, flexible appendage to the torso. ... This article does not cite any references or sources. ...

M = Manx gene (dominant). Cats with the homozygous genotype (MM) die before birth, and stillborn kittens show gross abnormalities of the central nervous system. Cats with the heterozygous genotype (Mm) show severely shortened tail length, ranging from taillessness to a partial, stumpy tail. Some Manx cats die before 12 months old and exhibit skeletal and organ defects. People have suggested that the Manx gene, because it was discovered in naturally occurring populations of cats, is a gene conferring some kind of selective advantage to the cats. However, the most likely reason for this gene's natural occurrence is genetic drift in an island population. The expected result of pregnancy is the birth of a living child. ... Kitten at six weeks. ... A diagram showing the CNS: 1. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... In biology, an organ (Latin: organum, instrument, tool) is a group of tissues that perform a specific function or group of functions. ... In population genetics, genetic drift is the statistical effect that results from the influence that chance has on the success of alleles (variants of a gene). ...

There are numerous other bobtail types in the cat population, most of which are identical to the Japanese Bobtail or the variably expressed Manx mutation. However, some may be novel mutations that have not been investigated.

There are numerous types of curly-tailed cats whose tails loop over the back or form tight corkscrews. One such mutation has been developed into the American Ringtail [1], [2] but others have been regarded as curiosities and not perpetuated. The gene(s) responsible have not been fully investigated.

Limbs

Mk = Munchkin gene (dominant). Cats heterozygous for this gene (Mkmk) have shortened legs, but are not disabled. They have a ferret-like gait. The homozygous form (MkMk) may possibly be lethal as litter sizes are smaller than average. Although there was initial concern that Munchkin-type cats would have impaired mobility or spinal problems, this proved to be unfounded. The mutation has occurred naturally in many locations and has also been perpetuated in feral cats without human intervention (Robinson's Genetics for Cat Breeders). To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Diagram of an insect leg A leg is the part of an animals body that supports the rest of the animal above the ground and is used for locomotion. ...

The mutation has proven not to be achondroplasia, but is most likely to be either hypochodroplasia or pseudochondroplasia which affect the long bones of the leg while leaving other bodily proportions, especially the head, unchanged.

Paws

Sh = Split Foot (Syndactyly). A dominant gene that reduces the number of toes resulting in a "lobster-claw" appearance. This is considered an undesirable mutation.

Polydactyl (extra-toed) cats. There are probably many genes, both dominant and recessive, that cause polydactyly in cats. Most cases of polydactyly in cats are perfectly harmless. Polydactyly, or polydactylism, also known as hyperdactyly is the anatomical variant consisting of more than the usual number of digits on the hands and/or feet. ...

Pd = Thumb-cat polydactyly gene. The Pd gene (dominant with incomplete penetrance) causes the benign, pre-axial form of polydactly where one or more extra toes occur near the dew claw. Often, the dew claw is converted into a thumb. There are occasional On the other hand, the "hamburger-feet" polydactyly gene is associated with gene for radial hypoplasia (RH). The 1995 European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals considers RH an impairing condition. In a scandal in the late 1990s, an experimental breeder in Texas tried to perpetuate this deformity as the "Twisty Cat" breed. Mild RH can cause the post-axial form of polydactyly - enlarged paws, extra three-jointed toes on the outer, little-toe side of the paws, and no thumb. X-rays can determine the structure of the extra toes and whether the cat has the gene for RH. Cats with the gene for RH should never be bred. Cats with severe RH have unusually short front legs. They move like a ferret and they tend to sit like a squirrel or kangaroo and are colloquially known as squittens. In some RH cats, the forelegs are twisted with the long bones either severely shortened or absent. All polydactyl cats are banned from German cat shows, possibly because of confusion with the impairing form of polydactly associated with RH. The dogs front dewclaw grows on the side of the foot, above the other four toes but below the rear heelpad. ... // This digit is one of the five fingers (though the word finger can also refer exclusively to the non-thumb digits). ... A hamburger (or simply burger) is a sandwich that consists of a cooked patty of ground meat that is fried, steamed, grilled, or broiled, and is generally served with various condiments and toppings inside a sliced bun baked specially for this purpose. ... Year 1995 (MCMXCV) was a common year starting on Sunday (link will display full 1995 Gregorian calendar). ... A scandal is a widely publicized incident involving allegations of wrong-doing, disgrace, or moral outrage. ... This article concerns Breeder, an occupation in agriculture, animal husbandry, or animal fancy. ... Official language(s) No official language See languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Largest metro area Dallas–Fort Worth Metroplex Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 261,797 sq mi (678,051 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... A dogs paw resting on a hard concrete surface. ... A joint is the location at which two or more bones make contact. ... Toes are the digits of the foot of a human or animal. ... In the NATO phonetic alphabet, X-ray represents the letter X. An X-ray picture (radiograph) taken by Röntgen An X-ray is a form of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength approximately in the range of 5 pm to 10 nanometers (corresponding to frequencies in the range 30 PHz... Trinomial name Mustela putorius furo (Linnaeus, 1758) In general use, a ferret is a domestic ferret (Mustela putorius furo). ... Genera Many, see the article Sciuridae. ... Species Macropus rufus Macropus giganteus Macropus fuliginosus Macropus antilopinus A kangaroo is a marsupial from the family Macropodidae. ... A cat with Foreleg Micromelia (squitten) sitting in upright posture, showing short forelimbs Squitten is a portmanteau word derived from the words squirrel and kitten, it is a term used to describe a deformed cat with unusually short forelegs or unusually long hindlegs that resembles a squirrel[1]. More rarely... Typical cat show benching cage in the US. Cats wait here until called to the ring. ...

Polydactyl cats are relatively common in southwest Britain, Norway, Sweden, and the eastern coast of the USA and Canada, and some parts of Asia. Sailors thought they were lucky. There were, and are, many myths surrounding polydactyl cats: Small Text For other uses, see Asia (disambiguation). ... Three types of mariners are seen here in the wheelhouse: a master, an able seaman, and a harbour pilot. ... “Good luck” redirects here. ...

• That they are superior mousers and ratters,
• That they have better balance on ships in stormy weather,
• That their paws are natural snowshoes,
• That their opposable thumbs give them a survival advantage.

It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into Super Mario Bros. ... Equilibrioception or sense of balance is one of the physiological senses. ... Italian Full rigged ship Amerigo Vespucci in New York Harbor, 1976 A ship is a large watercraft capable of offshore navigation. ... A shelf cloud associated with a heavy or severe thunderstorm over Enschede, Netherlands A storm is any disturbed state of an astronomical bodys atmosphere, especially affecting its surface, and strongly implying severe weather. ... A pair of modern snowshoes Snowshoes, sometimes colloquially referred to as webs, are footwear for walking over snow. ... Missing image Thumbs up In human anatomy, the thumb is the first digit on a hand. ... Survival may refer to: Survival skills Survival kit Survivalism Survival, a studio album by Grand Funk Railroad Survival (album), a Bob Marley reggae album Survival (Doctor Who), an episode of Doctor Who Survival (television), a British wildlife television program Survival International a charity Survival Festival, Australia This is a disambiguation...

Ear Types

Cu = American curl gene (dominant). Cats with this gene have ears that start out normal, but gradually curl backwards. So far, no harmful defects have been associated with this gene. The ear is the sense organ that detects sounds. ...

Fd = Scottish fold gene (dominant with incomplete penetrance). Cats with this gene have ears that curl forward. There are different degrees of folding, and more genes may be involved in the expression of the Fd gene. This gene is associated with bone and cartilage defects such as thickened tail and swollen feet. The homozygous form (FdFd) is probably lethal. Motto (Latin) No one provokes me with impunity Cha togar mfhearg gun dioladh (Scottish Gaelic) Wha daur meddle wi me?(Scots)1 Anthem (Multiple unofficial anthems) Scotlands location in Europe Capital Edinburgh Largest city Glasgow Official languages English (de facto)1; Gaelic[1]2 and Scots3 (recognised minority... Grays Anatomy illustration of a human femur. ... Cartilage is a type of dense connective tissue. ...

Australian Curl - a curl-eared mutation occurred in a female stray cat in Australia, but was not inherited by her offspring. When the original cat became ill, necessitating spaying, it was impossible to test-mate her sons back to her to identify a possibly recessive curled-ear mutation.

Some information reproduced with permission from Messybeast.com

References

• Robinson, Roy. "Genetics for Cat Breeders and Veterinarians" Butterworth Heinemann 1999. ISBN 0-7506-4069-3
• Cat genetics
• Cat Gene Loci