Leopard Article Analysis
Horses, where do their spots come from?
Courtney Goehring
2nd Period
12/11/13
The Leopard complex gene (LP) is an incompletely dominant trait that has been said to be in horses’ genes for 17,000 years. Researchers have found that there are many ways that the LP gene can affect a horse’s appearance. The Leopard complex is characterized by the absence of pigment (white spotting) in the coat. The most common characteristic can be seen along the hips, making the appearance of an Appaloosa horse. There are other appearances of the LP gene in horses as well, which consist of spotting around the eyes, noses, or legs, and striped hooves. Along with the appearance of the LP gene, researchers have also been studying the effects of containing the LP gene. Night blindness is one such example.
I found it interesting how studies have shown that Leopard complete has been in the horse gene pool for 17,000 years. I would like to learn more about how night blindness is connected to the LP gene, because it was intriguing how the majority of horses are affected by it, but others are not. I always thought that the LP gene was only affective in Appaloosa horses, but that is not the case. The LP gene is found in several breeds. I never realized that the white coat on a horse could vary. I didn’t know that an all-white horse could have the same gene (LP) as a horse with a spotted nose or a couple of dots on its hips. Also, I never knew that the LP gene doesn’t just cause spotting in the coat, but can cause striped hooves as well. The article states that some domestic mammals were selectively bred for their coat and patterns which make pigmentation an interesting topic. In my opinion, it is a fabulous topic to study. There are so many different colors and patterns that differ with each animal. Every animal could be the same, but they are not. I feel that studying gene mutations and disorders like the LP gene
Courtney Goehring
2nd Period
12/11/13
The Leopard complex gene (LP) is an incompletely dominant trait that has been said to be in horses’ genes for 17,000 years. Researchers have found that there are many ways that the LP gene can affect a horse’s appearance. The Leopard complex is characterized by the absence of pigment (white spotting) in the coat. The most common characteristic can be seen along the hips, making the appearance of an Appaloosa horse. There are other appearances of the LP gene in horses as well, which consist of spotting around the eyes, noses, or legs, and striped hooves. Along with the appearance of the LP gene, researchers have also been studying the effects of containing the LP gene. Night blindness is one such example.
I found it interesting how studies have shown that Leopard complete has been in the horse gene pool for 17,000 years. I would like to learn more about how night blindness is connected to the LP gene, because it was intriguing how the majority of horses are affected by it, but others are not. I always thought that the LP gene was only affective in Appaloosa horses, but that is not the case. The LP gene is found in several breeds. I never realized that the white coat on a horse could vary. I didn’t know that an all-white horse could have the same gene (LP) as a horse with a spotted nose or a couple of dots on its hips. Also, I never knew that the LP gene doesn’t just cause spotting in the coat, but can cause striped hooves as well. The article states that some domestic mammals were selectively bred for their coat and patterns which make pigmentation an interesting topic. In my opinion, it is a fabulous topic to study. There are so many different colors and patterns that differ with each animal. Every animal could be the same, but they are not. I feel that studying gene mutations and disorders like the LP gene