Genetic Mutation Salmiak Gives Cats a 'Salty Liquorice' Coat Colour – MyCatDNA
There’s always something new to uncover in the world of feline genetics. When that discovery is an eye-catching coat pattern, it draws the attention of geneticists and cat owners alike. That’s exactly what happened when a distinctive fur colour—now called “salmiak”—was first identified. Read on to learn about this coat colour variant and how the Wisdom Panel™ team contributed to the understanding of the genetics behind this distinctive look.
Back in 2007, cats with a unique fur pattern initially termed “the Finnish mutation” were observed in the local feral domestic cat population in the central Finland region. These cats were black and black-and-white coloured, or “tuxedo” patterned, except with the addition of colour gradation of the black hairs. This resulted in a colour pattern with a coloured base and white hair tips.
Since first observed, cats with this colour pattern have remained a rare sight in central Finland. They likely descend from the same wild population, and only non-pedigreed cats are known to have this coat pattern. Since all cats with this coat pattern brought in from the streets were neutered, no one knew if the pattern was heritable. That is, until recent evidence showed a cat with this coat pattern giving birth to a litter of four kittens.
