Dexter cattle occur in three different colors: black, red, and dun. Two pairs of genes that are located on separate chromosomes control these colors. Cattle chromosome 8 contains the B (brown = Dexter dun aka TYRP1) locus Cattle chromosome 18 contains the E (extension = red aka MC1R) locus Black and red is one pair of alternative colors.
In Dexter cattle, there are two different red genes. The. However, since other genes are involved with the color of the nose/eyeliner, and the darkness of the coat, there are exceptions, and you cannot be sure of the animal's red genotype without a test, (which is available at virtually any laboratory doing cattle genetic testing).
Dexters come in three different colours; black, red and dun. But what makes a Red Dexter red or a Dun Dexter dun? Or for that matter allows a Black Dexter to have a coloured calf? Two major genes are involved in producing these colors. Clear as mud? Well it actually is not that confusing when we break it down.
The dun coloration in Dexter cattle is caused by the dilution of black pigment in the hair, producing shades of dark brown to gold. This color dilution is caused by a recessive mutation. merican exter attle ssociation The Facts of Dexter Color Genetics Genetic Terms: Phenotype: The characteristics of an animal that can be seen and/or measured.
s how that trait will develop Allele: A version of a gene. Alleles occur in pairs, one being inherited from. Some Dexter cattle carry a gene for chondrodysplasia (a semilethal gene), which is a form of dwarfism that results in shorter legs than unaffected cattle.
Chondrodysplasia. Dexters can be solid red, black, or dun. They do not have spots, but some white on the tail and the underside of the belly behind the navel is common.
White, as a body color, is not a true Dexter color. Some people do bred Dexters to other breeds of cattle to produce boutique colors and color patterns, but true, heritage Dexters are only red, black, or dun. Dexter bulls are known for their even temperament and ease of handling.
Dexter cows are typically excellent mothers, displaying the type of nurturing instincts that make them highly prized in seed stock operations. Dexters come in 3 colors: black, red, and dun. Solid colors, with occasional white on udders and/or behind the umbilicus, are the norm.
In the case of Dexter coloration, we will consider our baseline color to be black. There are two completely separate genes that will make Dexters a color other than black. In both cases, these colors are recessive to black, so the animal must receive the same non.
One notable observation that was first made in this research project and confirmed in subsequent testing is the fact that red is epistatic to Dexter dun - Animals that are homozygous for both red and dun are phenotypically red. The Dexter dun study concluded with the publication in 2003 of "TYRP1 is associated with dun coat color in Dexter cattle or how now brown cow?" by the.