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سنوريات SANORIYAT
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Mc/Ta

Tabby pattern

Controls: The shape of the tabby markings: mackerel, classic, spotted or ticked.

How it works

Among agouti (tabby) cats, separate genes shape the markings. The Mc gene gives mackerel (striped) by default, with classic (blotched) recessive; spotted patterns and the ticked (Abyssinian-type) coat are governed by their own genes.

Alleles

McMackerel (striped)Dominant
mcClassic (blotched)Recessive
TaTickedDominant

Breeding examples

Mackerel carrying classic (Mc/mc) × Mackerel carrying classic (Mc/mc)

← ≈ 3 in 4 mackerel, 1 in 4 classic.

Classic (mc/mc) × Classic (mc/mc)

← All kittens classic (blotched).

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between mackerel and classic tabby?+

Mackerel has narrow vertical stripes like a fish skeleton; classic has bold swirls with a bullseye on each flank. Classic is recessive, so mackerel × mackerel can still hide it.

What is a spotted tabby?+

A pattern where the stripes are broken into spots — seen in breeds like the Bengal and Egyptian Mau.

What is a ticked tabby?+

Each hair is banded (agouti) but the body shows little or no striping, giving a salt-and-pepper look — the classic Abyssinian coat. Ticked (Ta) is dominant.

Related genes

A

A locus — agouti (tabby vs solid)

Whether the tabby pattern is visible or hidden under a solid coat.

I

I locus — silver & smoke

Whether the hair has a silver-white base (silver, smoke, chinchilla).

B

B locus — black series

Whether the black pigment shows as black, chocolate or cinnamon.

See these colours on real cats.

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