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Two Teams Trace Genetic Origin of Orange Cats

Original: 🐈 NEWS: Two # research teams independently traced orange fur in # cats . Because females carry two X # chromosomes and i

Two research teams independently identified the genetic basis of orange fur in cats, resolving a long-standing puzzle in feline genetics. Because females carry two X chromosomes and randomly inactivate one in each cell, females expressing the trait develop calico and tortoiseshell patterns, while most orange cats are male. Scientists and cat enthusiasts are celebrating the finding, which explains a familiar quirk of pet cats.

Why now: New independent research just explained the long-standing genetic mystery of why orange cats are usually male and calicos are female.

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Evidence

• 🐈 NEWS: Two # research teams independently traced orange fur in # cats . Because females carry two X # chromosomes and inactivate one per cell, they develop # calico and tortoiseshell patterns while most orange cats are male. 👉 https://www. sciencealert.com/secret-of-ora… · tksst@fediscience.org · 18

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