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The curious genetics of polydactyl cats: How did this unique gene come about?
Polydactyl cats are a rare and fascinating breed of cat, noted for their natural genetic traits. This cat usually has more toes on one or more paws than the average cat. According to statistics, polydactyl cats are more common on the east coast of North America and western England and Wales, and the genetic reasons behind this are a long-term topic to be explored together.
The Origin of Polydactyl Cats and Their Sawtooth Gene
Polydactyly is a congenital anomaly, the cause of which can be attributed to autodominant inheritance. Studies have shown that the formation of polydactyl cats is related to the gene enhancer "ZRS", which is responsible for regulating the expression of the "sonic hedgehog" (SHH) gene in the limbs.
SHH protein is an important signaling molecule involved in the patterning of multiple body components, including limbs and toes.
A normal cat should have 18 toes, 5 on each front paw and 4 on each hind paw, but a polydactyl cat may have as many as 9 toes on either the front or hind paws. The number of toes these cats have may range from four to seven, with polydactyls on the front paws being more common and polydactyls only on the hind paws being quite rare.
History and Folklore
Polydactyl cats are popular along the eastern coast of North America and in western England, and have historical origins. They were once pet cats on ships and were widely loved by sailors. While there are conflicting opinions about the origin of this trait, there is a consensus that cats arrived on ships from Boston, spreading polydactyl cats throughout the United States and its trading ports.
Sailors widely believed that polydactyl cats brought good luck at sea, and their excellent climbing and hunting abilities helped control rat problems on ships.
As for Europe, due to superstition about witchcraft, these cats may be hunted, so their numbers are relatively small. Writer Ernest Hemingway fell in love with polydactyl cats because of a six-toed cat, which led to the nickname "Hemingway cats." After his death, his home became a museum, housing about 50 descendants of Hemingway's cats, half of which are polydactyl cats.
Names and breeds of polydactyl cats
Polydactyl cats have many aliases, such as Hemingway cats, glove cats, etc. In some cat fanciers clubs, two breeds are recognized, the American Polydactyl and the Maine Coon Polydactyl. The American Polydactyl cat was bred as a specific breed of cat with unique physical and behavioral characteristics.
Genetic basis
Studies have found that polydactyly in Maine Coon cats is associated with mutations in ZRS. ZRS is a non-coding element that is associated with the expression of the SHH gene. Normally, SHH expression occurs in a certain area of the limbs, but in the case of polydactyl cats, additional limb structures may be present.
These polydactyly variations are reflected not only in the extra toes, but also in the good development of their nerves, blood vessels, muscles and ligaments.
Reproduction and variation of polydactyl cats
Because the variation of polydactyly is wide and complex, different gene mutations cause different phenotypes. For example, cats with the Hemingway variant often have polydactyly on their front paws, while other variants may affect all four limbs. The study showed that the number of polydactyls in 375 Maine Coon cats varied and could not be fully explained by a single mutation, indicating the diversity of genes and their expression.
While the charm of polydactyl cats is well-loved, there is actually a deeper genetic mystery behind it. Did these adorable cats emerge as a result of genetic change or natural selection?
