Post by Haley on Jan 12, 2010 15:31:31 GMT -6
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Appaloosa: The wild spotting pattern typified by the Appaloosa breed is caused by a group of genes called the leopard complex (Lp). The pattern can be manifested in several ways: varnish, blanket, leopard, snowcap, and few spot. Horses who are heterozygous (Lplp) for the leopard complex will exhibit the varnish, blanket, or leopard patterns. Horses who are homozygous (LpLp) for the leopard complex will exhibit the snowcap or few spot patterns. According to recent studies, the appaloosa pattern in it's heterozygous state seems to manifest itself similarly to the pinto genes. Moderately expressed appies will have a small blanket, more boldly marked horses will have larger blankets, and the most boldly patterned horses are entirely covered by the blanket, meaning they are leopard appaloosas. For more information on the ongoing project of mapping the appaloosa genome, please check out The Appaloosa Project. Appaloosa pattered horses also have distinct markings besides their spots---they have striped hooves, mottled skin, and white sclera. Heterozygous is (nLp) and homozygous is (LpLp).
A small blanket.
A larger blanket.
A larger blanket, sometimes called semi-leopard.
Leopard appaloosa.
Varnish roan appaloosa.
Ima Starr Dancer, a snowcap with a larger blanket. Notice the complete lack of spots, signifying his homozygosity.
JR's Shado, a few spot appaloosa, also homozygous for the leopard complex.
Appaloosa: The wild spotting pattern typified by the Appaloosa breed is caused by a group of genes called the leopard complex (Lp). The pattern can be manifested in several ways: varnish, blanket, leopard, snowcap, and few spot. Horses who are heterozygous (Lplp) for the leopard complex will exhibit the varnish, blanket, or leopard patterns. Horses who are homozygous (LpLp) for the leopard complex will exhibit the snowcap or few spot patterns. According to recent studies, the appaloosa pattern in it's heterozygous state seems to manifest itself similarly to the pinto genes. Moderately expressed appies will have a small blanket, more boldly marked horses will have larger blankets, and the most boldly patterned horses are entirely covered by the blanket, meaning they are leopard appaloosas. For more information on the ongoing project of mapping the appaloosa genome, please check out The Appaloosa Project. Appaloosa pattered horses also have distinct markings besides their spots---they have striped hooves, mottled skin, and white sclera. Heterozygous is (nLp) and homozygous is (LpLp).
A small blanket.
A larger blanket.
A larger blanket, sometimes called semi-leopard.
Leopard appaloosa.
Varnish roan appaloosa.
Ima Starr Dancer, a snowcap with a larger blanket. Notice the complete lack of spots, signifying his homozygosity.
JR's Shado, a few spot appaloosa, also homozygous for the leopard complex.
