Meow A Genetic Concert for Cats

by Kerry Janet Fowler, Jeanne Nevin (Editor), Gracia Louise (Illustrator)

Overview

Meow A Genetic Concert for Cats by Dr Kerry Fowler is an important book for cat breeders, owners, judges and veterinarians who are curious about the genetic makeup, DNA testing and diversity of pedigree cat breeds.

Peek inside, and find chapters, tables and a glossary describing what is scientifically known about the genes responsible for the multitude of different coat colours and patterns, hair lengths and compositions, eye colours and structural features that are seen in cats. Enjoy images of a rare russet Burmese kitten whose coat colour dramatically changes during development.

Be challenged by theories about genes such as dilute modifier, O gene, silver inhibitor, wideband and solving the origin of the Ragdoll cat mystery. Understand how to interpret DNA test results for coat colour, pattern and length; what to do when DNA test results do not make sense; the pros and cons of outcrossing cat breeds; the potential effect of diet and environment on gene activity; the quality control role of cat judges and limitations of breed standards.

‘Meow’ has been hailed as ‘MeWow’. This reference book was launched at the Australian Cat Federation Inc. National Show in June 2017. 'Meow' and has been updated in 2020 to include new information on: incomplete dominance and epistasis; gene nomenclature; copy number variant that enriches coat colours in pedigree dogs; copal extension gene; mocha tyrosinase gene; colour-reducing gene in 'white' tigers; genes responsible for widebanding in golden tigers and mice; dwarfism gene locus.

'Meow' has been eagerly embraced by ‘thrilled’ cat fanciers in Australia, Argentina, Austria, China, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Japan, Italy, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Sweden, The Netherlands, Ukraine, UK and US. The author, Dr Kerry Fowler MSc PhD has combined her scientific training in genetics and experience judging all cat breeds in Australia and New Zealand to ‘have made a lot of people happy with this wonderful book’ including those who have been ‘over the moon to receive it’.

 

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780648121152
Publisher:	Kerry Fowler
Publication date:	06/07/2017
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	72
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Dr Kerry Fowler is an All Breeds Cat Judge who has been fortunate to have judged cats in all eight major States and Territories of Australia, as well as North and South Islands of New Zealand. Her scientific training and judging experience has equipped her to write educational articles and to give presentations about feline genetics and the skills required for cat judging. Kerry is an active member of the Governing Council of the Cat Fancy of Victoria Inc. and the Australian Cat Federation Judges Guild Inc., as well as a founding Trustee of the Feline Health Research Fund. Meow A Genetic Concert for Cats is her first book. [e-mail]
Jeanne Nevin MBA is a US-based Norwegian Forest Cat exhibitor who is trained in publishing and editing. Jeanne has worked for various organizations as writer-editor, editor, publications manager, and director of editorial services.
Gracia Haby and Louise Jennison are artists who illustrate books, zines, drawings, and collages. Their books can be found in the collections of: Artspace Mackay; Bibliotheca Librorum Apud Artificem; Deakin University Library; Melbourne Museum; Melbourne University Library; Monash University Library; Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery; National Gallery of Australia; National Gallery of Victoria; National Library of Australia; RMIT University Library; State Library of New South Wales; State Library of Victoria; State Library of Queensland; Tate (UK); University of the West of England (UK).

Table of Contents

Preface and Acknowledgments 

Chapter 1 Introduction: Old and new skills used by cat breeders, Chromosomes, genes,loci and alleles, DNA and proteins, Types of mutations, Penetrance and Gene expression, Epigenetics

Chapter 2 The use of DNA sampling to study cats: Evolution and diversity of cat breeds, Challenges for cat breeders, Genetic tests for feline health, Parentage testing, Popular DNA tests for coat, Procedure for handling an unlikely DNA test result 

Chapter 3 Coat colour: White cats and cats with white, Eumelanin coat colour, Pheomelanin coat colour, Dilute density gene, Colour intensity, Gene mining for silver inhibitor gene

Chapter 4 Coat pattern, length and composition: Coat pattern, Coat length, Coat composition

Chapter 5 Feline conformation and outcross breeding: Genetic tests for conformation, Outcross breeding

Chapter 6 Conclusions: From genetic makeup to appearance, From phenotype to genotype, Wishlist of future discoveries, Last but not least 

Glossary

References: 158 citations

About the Author

List of Tables: 14 Tables

List of Figures: Figure 1a-d, Figure 2