This model is based on the study from Houston (1979) in the inheritance of the color pattern of Coelophora inaequalis (aka, ladybug beetles), commonly known as ladybug beetles, which reveals a dominance order among four alleles and incomplete dominance involved in two pairs of the alleles.
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HOW IT WORKS
HOW IT WORKS
Researchers have found that the color pattern of Coelophora inaequalis is a multiallelic trait (Houston, 1979). Existing work suggests six forms of color patterns in an Australian ladybug beetle species are determined by four alleles: Cs, Cn, Cv, and Cb. A dominance order was identified among these four alleles to determine four forms. In addition, two pairs of these alleles are found to show incomplete dominance and result in the other two phenotypes.
In this model, gametes containing one of four alleles are first generated and randomly fuse to form the parent beetles. Therefore, these parent beetles are not purebred, but can be either homozygotes or heterozygotes. Users need to figure out the dominance order and dominance mechanisms through test crosses.
When users choose two beetles for a test cross, the gametes from one beetle randomly fuse with the gametes of the other beetle to form offspring. 45~60 offspring beetles may be produced in each generation.
HOW TO USE IT
HOW TO USE IT
1. Select one of five cases
2. Click on the "Start/reset" button to confirm.
3. Click on the "Press and choose 2 beetles" button.
4. Choose two ladybug beetles in the simulation window.
5. Click on the "cross!" button to conduct a test cross.
6. Examine offspring phenotypes in the simulation window and the "progeny" section.
CREDITS AND REFERENCES
CREDITS AND REFERENCES
Dr. Lin Xiang creates this module at the University of Kentucky. If you mention this model in a publication, we ask that you include the citations below.
Xiang, L. (2018). Multiple allele inheritance and incomplete dominance in Ladybug Beetles. Department of STEM Education, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY.
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