Color plays an important role in the life of animals. A person seeks to diversify or introduce a piebald color into any kind, when it is economically beneficial. The fashion for colors gives impetus to the breeding of individuals of rare colors to meet the growing demand. There are breeds of different species of animals where "piebaldness" is a prerequisite for recognition of breeding value.
Definition
The presence of large white irregularly shaped spots in an animal, unevenly scattered over the body, is a piebald color. It is impossible to predict what and when nature will come up with a pattern. Sometimes the spots reach such sizes that they completely cover the body of the individual. The iris of the eyes can be both dark and blue.
Gene mutation can work at any moment. Such "gifts" lead to the breeding of new colored breeds of animals. They are especially valued in fur farming and when breeding decorative types of pets.
Reason
Piebald is startingform in the womb. Vertebrate cells - melanoblasts - are responsible for the drawing. Before the process of differentiation (before changing the function of the cell, its metabolic activity, size, shape), they do not contain pigment. They are precursors of pigment cells that produce melanocytes in birds and mammals, and melanophores in cold-blooded animals.
Melanoblasts in vertebrates are formed in embryos in the neural crest. Subsequently, they move into the epidermis. Any disturbance during migration leads to non-standard coloration of the species. This can manifest as albinism and as piebald hair:
- Melanism. With increased pigment formation, an excess of melanin gives a rich black color.
- Chromism. The sequence of pigment formation is as follows: first a red pigment is formed, and then it becomes black. Violation in the transition chain leads to the appearance of "gold" individuals.
- Piebaldism. The state of the body that affects the production of melanin is manifested in the segmental manifestation of white areas on the skin of the animal.
- Albinism. The complete or partial absence of pigment in the cell leads to the appearance of white individuals.
Pinto color variants
Horses are loved, valued and bred all over the world. The variety of breeds, sizes and colors is amazing. The uniformity of the livestock, including the suit, is one of the signs of the breed. Previously, and in some breeding farms to this day, horses with a piebald, uncharacteristiccoat color. In the cavalry of the Soviet army, horses similar in color were selected for regiments. Never take skewbald horses or animals with large marks. For example, whiteness on the legs above the hocks resulted in culling.
Americans have their own view on such horses. The most valuable for them is a piebald horse. What color the future offspring will have depends on the presence of a certain combination of genes in its parents. Their classification is as follows:
1. Tobiano. White spots are located on the entire surface of the body of the animal with the obligatory capture of the line of the spine. The head has the main color, markings in the form of stars, blazes are acceptable. At maximum piebaldness, only the head and belly remain dark. The color of the skin under the spots is pink, under the main suit - gray.
2. Overo (Overo). Homozygous foals die within the first three days, this lethal group also includes white-born babies. Heterozygotes are spotted with belly and head but not in line with the spine. Under the white color, the skin is pink. Often, representatives of this type often have multi-colored eyes.
Pattern types:
- frame overo (pezhina on the neck and sides of the animal, enclosed in the "frame" of the main suit);
- splashed white (ears and back remain dark, rarer color);
- sabino (marks on the legs, head, spots all over the body, there is a roan).
3. Tovero. A rare variant of piebaldness when an animal carries both genes. This mixture gives the mostunusual drawings.
In the US, there is a clear classification of pinto horses. The pinto group (The Pinto Horse Association of America, PtHA) includes absolutely all (except heavy trucks) horses and ponies of pinto color. Another group (The American Paint Horse Association, APHA) includes representatives of only two breeds: the Thoroughbred and the Quarter Horse. Both groups are classified as "color" breeds, officially fixed only on the American continent.
The Appaloosa is a worldwide recognized color breed. What it is - the piebald hair color of a horse, can be seen in the photo in the text. On a white background, clearly defined dark marks are scattered. Such horses were fashionable back in the 16-18 centuries among roy alty and nobility in Europe.
Color in the wild
Piebald color in the wild is found in various species of animals, birds, reptiles. The most common is complete or partial albinism. The lack of pigmentation paints the hairline of an individual with an incredible ornament. Under natural conditions, where protective or camouflage coloration gives a chance for survival, such a "gift" of nature can be fatal.
An example is a red seal with blue eyes. It was found on Sakhalin. Rejected by the herd and his own mother, he was doomed to death. Human intervention saved the baby's life, he lives in a dolphinarium in Sochi.
Breeding
Not only in horse breeding are engaged in purposeful breeding of "pegasus". Fur farming also has its own preferences. Scandinavianbreeders specially bred the Finnish jaguar breed - a piebald mink. It is a color reminiscent of the color of the Dalmatian. This is one of the rarest and most unusual colors for representatives of this species. In rabbit breeding, animals are bred not only for meat, but also for fur with an unusual pattern. Popular breeds: German Pied Giant, Tricolor Stringer, Butterfly, Californian, Black Brown, Russian Ermine.
In dog breeding, there are breeds named for the distinguishing feature of the suit, for example, the Russian piebald hound. What is acceptable in one breed is unacceptable in others. Deviation in the color of breeding animals can lead to their culling and exclusion from further breeding work.
Guinea pigs can please the owner with an incredible combination of colors. Two- and three-color individuals are not uncommon among representatives of this species. There are also very special breeds - Russian or Himalayan guinea pig. The main color of the body is snow-white, and the hair at the legs, muzzle and ears have sharply limited dark pigmentation - black, brown or dark chocolate.
Rare colors
Both domestic and wild animals and birds can be found in a very unusual color. For example:
- Nicobar dove. Long mane feathers have iridescent overflow.
- White and blue peacock (got his outfit due to gene mutations).
- In domestic animals - horses, cows, cats, dogs - it is not difficult to detect absolutely all variants of piebaldness.
- The peacock spider is considered the mostthe most beautiful spider in the world. His belly can have markings of different shades - blue, orange, red, purple, light blue, yellow.
- Mandarin duck. She has feathers of orange, red, green, olive brown, brown, purple, yellow, blue, black.
- Blue lobster - one in two million individuals.
- Indian bullfrog, bright yellow with blue cheeks.
- Representatives of parrots and aquarium fish can boast the most intense and amazing combinations of colors.
Albinos are found in almost all species. The absence of adults in the wild indicates the unsuitability of animals of this color for living conditions.
