Colorpoint

Albinism Series

Albinism is a mutation which prevents the body, either completely or partially, from producing melanin. Most of these genes attach to the same locus and thus form a series. A creature can only have two genes from this series at a time. They could be rr (two albino genes), cpcp (two colorpoint genes) or rcp (one albino gene and one colorpoint gene). But they cannot be rrcp because that's too many genes!

The currently available Albinism genes are all recessive. In order for one to show up, it must have two copies of the SAME gene. So rr (two albino genes) would show up as albino, but rcp (one albino and one colorpoint gene) would only be a carrier for albino and colorpoint while still appearing to have normal coloration

Colorpoint | cp cp (recessive)

Must have two copies of the colorpoint gene to show
Colorpoint is a form of albinism that causes a pigment-producing cell to die at warmer temperatures, including regular body temperature. Thus, color is lost everywhere except the extremities such as legs and tail, where there is less blood-flow and therefore less warmth.
Whatever other genes are present beneath colorpoint will show on the face, legs, and tail. In males, color will also usually become visible on the sheath.
The abdomen, being the warmest point in the body, is always white.
In cold climates, color may begin to return to the flanks and shoulders. In warm climates, color may become restricted even further or entirely removed. These are not immediate changes, but would show up over the course of several months as fur grows, sheds, and is replaced.
Colorpoints are born totally white because the womb is uniformly warm. Their original color underneath begins to show as they age.
Eyes are ALWAYS blue. Skin is pink where colorpoint causes pigment loss.
In hooved creatures: mane and tail usually show original color, but may lose it with constant exposure to heat.

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