By Louise LeGresley – Getty Images
“A new cat coat color has been officially identified. Known as salmiak, or ‘salty liquorice’ for its resemblance to a Finnish snack, these cats boast black hair strands that fade to white as they grow from the follicle. The unique color is the result of a recessive genetic mutation, rather than a known gene responsible for turning cats white.
While black, orange, and tuxedo cats are well-known, lesser-known color variants like seal point and ticked tabby, there is now a new addition to the feline color palette – salmiak. This striking black, white, and grey shade was first observed in 2007 and brought to the attention of a group of cat experts in 2019, led by feline geneticist Heidi Anderson. Their research led to the publication of a paper in the journal Animal Genetics, shedding light on the genetic basis of this unique coloration.
Initially, experts speculated that the new color might be a result of the ‘dilution’ gene, which influences white markings on cats. However, further genetic analysis revealed that the salmiak color is caused by a missing sequence downstream from the KIT gene, a known regulator of coat patterns. This recessive mutation requires inheritance from both parents for the color to manifest, explaining its rarity among felines.
With the mystery solved, the team is delighted to share their findings and the beauty of these unique felines with the world. Anderson expressed excitement over the genetic explanation for the admired salmiak coats, highlighting the significance of this discovery.”
A blog post written by Anderson explains that solving this puzzle enhances our knowledge of feline coat color genetics and could help in breeding efforts to preserve this trait in our beloved feline companions. Hopefully, we can enjoy these elegant felines for many years to come.
