Rat genetics

[sorraia]

And just a quick FYI regarding Burmese and Black-eyed colorpoint varieties:
The described genetics for Burmese, sable, and black-eyed colorpoint listd on AFRMA's website is incorrect. AFRMA currently insists these genes are located on the c-locus. This hypothesis was created by a couple breeders who only worked very briefly with the varieties and did not even try out all the possible combinations. Myself and several other breeders have had a couple litters proving their hypothesis incorrect. This was something I tried discussing with them to correct, but the main breeder who came up with the idea refused to even talk to me about it.

The hypothesis followed by UK breeders is the correct one, as proven by multiple litters from the UK as well as some US breeders. That hypothesis is Burmese and the black-eyed gene affecting colorpoint are located on two loci separate from the colorpoint locus. This makes it possible to have multiple varieties in one litter from two self parents, as had been observed by myself and others.

[sorraia]

Snakesrkewl(Jerry) who posted above is experienced in breeding Black eyed siamese.

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Yeah? That's exciting for me to hear! That was one of the varieties I worked with for awhile, as well as the Burmese. Makes me miss my rats that much more.

[toyota89]

Are there patterns that are dominant co dominant or recessive

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[sorraia]

Are there patterns that are dominant co dominant or recessive

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What do you mean by "patterns"?

Technically, you have colors, markings, and patterns. Colors are just that, colors: black, agouti, blue, beige, Russian blue, mink, etc.

Markings are white markings: hooded,Berkshire, Irish, variegated, capped, etc.

Patterns are color patterns: colorpoint patterns, merle, I think roan and pearl might be included in that as well.

Siamese and Himalayan (colorpoint patterns) are recessive, Burmese and pearl are co-dominant, I forget what merle is, and I think roan is recessive.

If you mean markings, it depends on the marking. I originally listed the H-locus markings (the more common and widespread markings) as recessive, but I actually should have listed them as co-dominant. The basic genes are "H" (self) and "h" (hooded), but there are a variety of other modifiers and genes on that locus too (hⁱ,H^ro, H^e​, and more).

[snakesRkewl]

Yeah? That's exciting for me to hear! That was one of the varieties I worked with for awhile, as well as the Burmese. Makes me miss my rats that much more.

I've not been able to breed rats for awhile now due to living arrangements, but we(my partner) still makes black eyed Siamese.
Unfortunately we keep losing the dwarf gene but here's one of the best black eyed Siamese I produced back when


and a full sized black eyed Siamese mom


I did make a few Burmese including a Burmese dwarf, but I've lost much of the genetics I was playing with when my partner took over the rat breeding.

[sorraia]

I've not been able to breed rats for awhile now due to living arrangements, but we(my partner) still makes black eyed Siamese.
Unfortunately we keep losing the dwarf gene but here's one of the best black eyed Siamese I produced back when


and a full sized black eyed Siamese mom


I did make a few Burmese including a Burmese dwarf, but I've lost much of the genetics I was playing with when my partner took over the rat breeding.

Thank you for sharing! I know what you mean about losing it. When I stopped breeding rats (due to living situation at the time, nothing financial or regulatory, just physically, emotionally, and mentally didn't have the time to devote to it), most of what I was concentrating on was Russian blue Burmese and Siamese and self chocolate while trying to pull black-eyed Siamese and mink back out (an unsuccessful litter "buried" those for me). I really liked the Siamese and was producing some gorgeous animals with nice dark points and excellent shading, and I personally just think something about the black-eyed individuals was really stunning compared to the normal pink-eyes. And I absolutely loved the Burmese.

[snakesRkewl]

Would you say this is a mink sorraia?



As far as your statement up top ^^ I have always gotten 100% selfs from self X self, are you saying it's possible to get something other than selfs?

[Michelle.C]

Would you say this is a mink sorraia?



As far as your statement up top ^^ I have always gotten 100% selfs from self X self, are you saying it's possible to get something other than selfs?

Yes, that's an American Mink.


Burmese and Black Eyed Seal Point Siamese.

[snakesRkewl]

Thanks Michelle, I was pretty sure but not positive.

[sorraia]

Would you say this is a mink sorraia?



As far as your statement up top ^^ I have always gotten 100% selfs from self X self, are you saying it's possible to get something other than selfs?

Yup, looks like a mink!

Self (H/H) x self (H/H) should normally always give 100% self (no markings), but I have heard of some tricky genetics (not on the h-locus) that supposedly can allow markings to pop up out of unmarked parents. I don't really know much about those, and my understanding is those genes are uncommon in the pet population. I know a certain degree of white can be seen on the toes of supposedly genetic self rats, and is fairly common, but that white shouldn't extend past the toes or onto the belly (would then make the rat Irish, Berkshire, or whatever other names people are giving them these days). Briefly I worked with some funny markings quite some time back, I would have to dig up those records to see exactly what I had and what I produced. I don't think those parents were actual genetic selfs though, as I recall them having some small white spots on their belly and white feet.