Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Trump: There is consensus regarding the next stages of Gaza
Donald Trump says he will visit 'Israel' and Egypt
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: Israeli helicopters dropped explosive devices on a house in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south Lebanon.
Lecornu says he accepts being reappointed French PM 'out of duty'
Macron reappoints Sebastien Lecornu as France's PM
Palestinian youth killed by Israeli occupation forces in the center of Jenin, in the occupied West Bank: Al Mayadeen's correspondent
Fars News Agency denies social media reports about the assassination of the commander of the IRGC Quds Force, Brigadier General Esmail Qaani
Statement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine: A salute of pride and honor to the support fronts in Yemen, Lebanon, Iran, and Iraq, who offered martyrs on the path to al-Quds
Statement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front: The steadfastness of the Resistance fighters and all our people foiled the displacement and uprooting schemes and set an immortal lesson in steadfastness and defiance
Statement by Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front: Our people in the Gaza Strip confronted the most horrific Zionist crimes with legendary steadfastness and resilience

How Cats Get Their Stripes

  • By Al Mayadeen
  • Source: The National Geographic
  • 10 Sep 2021 14:29
2 Min Read

Recent research of domestic cats has exhibited which genes give felines the particular patterns of their fur.

  • x
  • Cats can now show off their spots and stripes!
    Cats can now show off their spots and stripes!

How cats obtain their stripes has been a conundrum in the natural sciences for decades. The basics of animal color schemes have been a subject of interest in developmental and evolutionary biology for many years.

The typical tabby pattern of domestic cats with black markings in regular spacing on a light backdrop varies greatly in shape and color, and many of the species are comparable to wild cats.

But scientists knew nothing about their unique appearance, which had until recently been so popular as tabs. The scientists claim that in research published this week in Nature Communications, the genes in the embryo's skin cells are triggered before the cat grows fur.

Recent research of home cats has shown which genes give felines the particular patterns of their fur and that wild cats such as tigers and cheetahs, are capable of producing the same genetics with their distinguishing coats.

Early skin cells also imitate tabby strips underneath the microscope, a finding never before seen in embryonic cells.

Related News

Cyprus starts treating island’s sick cats with anti-Covid pills

Australia to use AI robots to eradicate stray cats

The name 'tabby' comes from the al-'Attābiyya district in Baghdad, which in the 16th century produced exquisite silk taffeta. But perhaps the stripes are from the immediate progenitor of the domestic cat, the striped wildcat, from the near east.

Discover the surprising start to this distinctive pattern on domestic cats https://t.co/37RapGTbDR

— National Geographic (@NatGeo) September 9, 2021

The genetics behind the colors and patterns of domestic cats have long intrigued scientists.

Greg Barsh and his colleagues, a researcher at Hudson Alpha Institute of Biotechnology in Alabama, examined over 1,000 embryos taken from veterinaries that spawned wild cats. This was part of an ethically accepted study protocol.

Two different types of skin were found by the scientists, each of which expressed a distinct group of genes. These genes included the Dickkopf WNT Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 4, or DKK4, that differed the most from other genes. 

If all goes as planned, the cells containing DKK4 ultimately turn into dark markers for tabby cats. However, there are often mutations that result in various colors and patterns, such as white spots or thinner stripes. Pigmentation changes may also occur, for example, an all-black layer results in the production of a dark pigment in pigment cells that should have generated colors.

  • Cats
  • pets
  • Animal Health

Most Read

A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025
President Donald Trump walks from Marine One after arriving on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump sets record-low refugee cap in new immigration policy shift

  • Politics
  • 4 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Displaced Palestinian children search for firewood and plastic in a landfill beside the makeshift tent camp where they are taking shelter, in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday, September 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Politics

Gaza orphans: Wounded, alone, and trapped in a humanitarian crisis

US President Donald Trump walks on the South Lawn after arriving on Marine One at the White House, Friday, October 10, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Politics

Accidental Truth Social post exposes Trump push to indict adversaries

A displaced Palestinian woman carries her baby as she walks with others along the coastal road near Wadi Gaza in the central Gaza Strip, heading toward Gaza City, Friday, Oct. 10, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UNICEF warns of skyrocketing child deaths in Gaza amid lack of aid

Former President Jimmy Carter's 2002 Nobel Peace Prize is sen on display at the Jimmy Carter National Historical Park, Monday, December 30, 2024, in Plains, Ga. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Politics

Trump team blasts Nobel Committee for passing president over

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS