After years of wondering, researchers finally solved the mystery behind an unusual cat coloration. Salty licorice, or salmiak, is a popular treat in Finland made from the licorice or sweet root (Glycyrrhiza glabra). These oddly colored wild cats were first spotted in central Finland in 2007. They looked like tuxedos: necks, chests, bellies, and paws gleamed white against a darker coat. At first glance you might not think it’s a big deal. But a closer look shows that each hair changes color from root to tip — black at the skin gradually lightening to white. From a genetic standpoint, that’s fascinating. That’s the conclusion of a team from the University of Helsinki led by Dr. Heidi Anderson of Wisdom Panel, a pet DNA expert.
What the Scientists Discovered
As one might expect, the new coloration comes from a genetic mutation. Researchers decoded it, as reported by Science Focus. “The discovery of salmiak has enriched our understanding of cat coat genetics. This knowledge could also be valuable for future breeding,” Dr. Anderson said. Her team found that the KIT gene, which is crucial for producing white coloration in cats, had a specific mutation in salmiak cats. As a result, the salmiak coloration appeared. To reach this conclusion, scientists sequenced the genomes of several cats with the unusual coat; the team then confirmed the finding in an additional 181 cats. Now, these animals, once considered mixed-breed, are officially recognized as a distinct coloration. Researchers previously speculated that salmiak cats were unable to reproduce, but that proved incorrect: they give birth to healthy offspring. The study appears in the journal Animal Genetics.
