Heres What Science Says! In the article, the researchers show that the white coat color in dogs is caused by mutations in the MITF gene that is crucial for normal development of pigment cells. In the color genetics of the German Shepherd, Sable (aw aw) is the dominate color. This means that the dog has a black coat but carries the brown and yellow alleles. So you can technically have a genetic true color dog, such as a Dark Chocolate Tri who is ALL white! The Penn State researchers' findings on the skin-whitening gene 1 show that skin color accounts for a minuscule biological difference between humans. In the breed Boxer large white markings in heterozygous carriers with genotype S si or S sw belong to the standard colours, therefore extreme white Boxers are born regularly, some of them with health problems. The brindle gene is dominant, which means that any time a dog has even one brindle gene, it will be a brindle. Most of the time this affects certain portions of the dogs coat. E Locus - e 2 (Cream, Australian Cattle Dog Type) E Locus - e 3 (White, Alaskan and Siberian Husky Type) E Locus - e A (Ancient Red, Spitz and Scent Hound . White male $150. Most of the time, white Rottweilers are the hybrid of a pure Rottweiler and another white dog a German Shepherd, for example. For puppies to be black, they must have BB or Bb alleles. For those breeders that are concerned or simply curious about potential coat colors of their future litters, genetic testing of prospective parents can save a lot of time . Dogs with a lower CNV were observed to have lighter gold and orange colors. Although testing has helped breeders identify healthy dogs with fewer medical issues, the accuracy of the tests often depends on the testing facility. Note: . S (spotting) locus. Breeding data suggests that homozygous H/H is embryonic lethal and that therefore all harlequins are H/h.[36]. The White Spotting Series. While we provide information resources and canine education, the content here is not a substitute for veterinary guidance. The gene at the B locus is known as tyrosinase related protein 1 (TYRP1). Dreger DL, Parker H, Ostrander E, Schmutz SM. is significantly reduced by, The merle gene also affects the skin, eye colour, eyesight and development of the eye and inner ear. Each allele has a 50% chance of being transferred to the puppies. Science X Daily and the Weekly Email Newsletters are free features that allow you to receive your favourite sci-tech news updates. For example the dilute gen D in the suddenly appeared variety "silver coloured" Labrador Retriever might probably come from a Weimaraner. (Phys.org) About half of all dogs show some form of white spotting which can range from a few white marks in the Bernese mountain dog to extreme white coat color in Dalmatians and white boxer. [4] Intercellular signaling pathways tell a melanocyte which type of melanin to produce. This may sound like a simple gardening experiment, but from pea plants to dogs to humans, genetics is complex. Punnett square: Inheritance with one carrier of a recessive gene. [49] Two alleles are theorized to occur at the U locus: It is thought that U is recessive to u but due to lack of genetic studies these assumptions have only been made through visual assessment. For the Beagle tricolor Genotype sp sp is the first colour in the breed standard. Affiliate of Mars Inc. 2023 | Copyright VCA Animal Hospitals all rights reserved. The only similarity is the white coloration of the coat, and with Aussies this only rarely results in a completely white dog. I would like to subscribe to Science X Newsletter. Pheomelanin only affects coat color, but eumelanin influences the nose and eye color. Pitbull $75 (Negotiable) Pitbull. However, the phrase lethal white has become popularized and as such has become entrenched in Aussie vocabulary. Height: 10-15 + Inches. Hair is sparse on the body, but present and typically enhanced by shaving, at least in the Chinese Crested, whose coat type is shaggy (long + wire). The most common colour of dog nose is black. For example, black Labs can be anywhere between jet black and brownish-black. Australian shepherds and Shetland sheepdogs are also affected. . Since the 1930s, however, the White German Shepherd dog has been considered a fault and has yet to be recognized or accepted as a type of German Shepherd. The alleles at the A locus are related to the production of agouti signalling protein (ASIP) and determine whether an animal expresses an agouti appearance, and, by controlling the distribution of pigment in individual hairs, what type of agouti. This locus is associated with interesting coat color patterns such as piebald, particolor, and extreme white which produce coats with less symmetrical white spots. Butterfly nose. Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. There are other new discovery on M locus and it would be useful to add the supplementary category on "M(merle) Locus" part. The alleles at the L locus (the fibroblast growth factor-5 gene or FGF5) determine the length of the animal's coat. Stay on top of cat food recalls here >, Have a dog? Two black genes (BB) gives you a black Labrador. Ed has yet to be fully understood. Dogs with the . Photo from @ hank.the.white.lab_. Genetics Of Pigmentation In Dogs And Cats. 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MITF encodes for a protein (actually a transcription factor - something that controls the use of other genes) that regulates melanocyte migration to different parts of the dog's body during the fetus's development. This dilution gene determines the intensity of pigmentation. Shes always had a cat in her home and has spent countless days with others, observing behaviors and softening up even the grouchiest of the lot. White spotting can occur on any colour, and will cover up both eumelanin and phaeomelanin.In technical terms this is known as epistasis.So any dog can have white markings, whether they're black . To solve this riddle, well take a guess and assume both parents have a recessive gene for brown (b), but their dominant genes are black (B). One eye is both brown & blue. [34] There are three known alleles that occur at the K locus: The dominance hierarchy for the K locus alleles appears to be as follows: KB > kbr > ky. Alleles at the Agouti (A), Extension (E) and Black (K) loci determine the presence or absence of brindle and its location: eh and EG are only included in the table where their interactions are known. But a dog of one color may carry hidden colors in his gene pool that may appear in his/her pups. Genes of interest have more than one expression (or version) of an allele. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy The K locus determines the black, brindle, and fawn colors. Two brown genes (bb) gives you a chocolate Labrador. calming energizing. The AHT gene, serum/glucocorticoid regulated kinase family member 3 gene (SGK3), is recessive and does not result in missing teeth. The agouti protein affects the coats pattern in dogs. . They select white breeds, or parents that carry the mutation of the MITF gene, to produce white puppies. A different gene, unaffected by coat color, can make the eyes blue. Various genes control the influence of pheomelanin; some make it weaker, and some make it stronger. [63], Animals that are homozygous for long coat (i.e., l/l) and possess at least one copy of W will have long, soft coats with furnishings, rather than wirey coats.[15]. Piebald. When a dog with the merle colouration (Mm) is bred to another merle dog, then there is a chance that a double merle (MM) will be produced. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Some genetic variants cause. A shorter Lp creates less white (Solid Colored and Residual White dogs) while a longer Lp creates more white (Irish Spotting and Piebald). White dog breeds can live long and healthy lives, but they can . June 1, 2012. microphthalmia-associated transcription factor, "Genetics Basics Coat Color Genetics In Dogs | VCA Animal Hospitals", https://munster.sasktelwebsite.net/DogColor/dogbrown.html, Silver Labrador Retriever Facts And Controversy, "Polymorphisms within the canine MLPH gene are associated with dilute coat color in dogs", "A Noncoding Melanophilin Gene (MLPH) SNP at the Splice Donor of Exon 1 Represents a Candidate Causal Mutation for Coat Color Dilution in Dogs", "Canine coat pigmentation genetics: a review", "MLPH Genotype--Melanin Phenotype Correlation in Dilute Dogs", "Coat Variation in the Domestic Dog Is Governed by Variants in Three Genes", "Identification of a Missense Variant in MFSD12 Involved in Dilution of Phaeomelanin Leading to White or Cream Coat Color in Dogs", "Five genetic variants explain over 70% of hair coat pheomelanin intensity variation in purebred and mixed breed domestic dogs", "Pigment Intensity in Dogs is Associated with a Copy Number Variant Upstream of KITLG", "A SINE Insertion Causes the Black-and-Tan and Saddle Tan Phenotypes in Domestic Dogs", "True Colors: Commercially-acquired morphological genotypes reveal hidden allele variation among dog breeds, informing both trait ancestry and breed potential", "Atypical Genotypes for Canine Agouti Signaling Protein Suggest Novel Chromosomal Rearrangement", "Two MC1R loss-of-function alleles in cream-coloured Australian Cattle Dogs and white Huskies", "A New Mutation in MC1R Explains a Coat Color Phenotype in 2, "A -Defensin Mutation Causes Black Coat Color in Domestic Dogs", "A missense mutation in the 20S proteasome 2 subunit of Great Danes having harlequin coat patterning", "Retrotransposon insertion in SILV is responsible for merle patterning of the domestic dog", "MITF and White Spotting in Dogs: A Population Study", "A Simple Repeat Polymorphism in the MITF-M Promoter Is a Key Regulator of White Spotting in Dogs", "A Partial Gene Deletion of SLC45A2 Causes Oculocutaneous Albinism in Doberman Pinscher Dogs", "A Missense Mutation in SLC45A2 Is Associated with Albinism in Several Small Long Haired Dog Breeds", Silver Labrador Retrievers Facts And Controversy, Gutachten zur Auslegung von 11b des Tierschutzgesetzes (Verbot von Qualzchtungen), "Complex disease and phenotype mapping in the domestic dog", "Ancestral T-Box Mutation Is Present in Many, but Not All, Short-Tailed Dog Breeds", http://munster.sasktelwebsite.net/white.html, "Derived variants at six genes explain nearly half of size reduction in dog breeds", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Dog_coat_genetics&oldid=1136322353, Articles lacking reliable references from March 2022, CS1 Swiss High German-language sources (de-ch), Wikipedia articles needing factual verification from March 2022, Articles with self-published sources from March 2022, Wikipedia articles needing page number citations from March 2022, Pages using multiple image with auto scaled images, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0. [4] This modifies the shape of the final eumelanin molecule, changing the pigment from a black to a brown color. The mutation is the result of a Copy Number Variant, or duplication of certain instructions within a gene, that controls the distribution of pigment in a dog's hair follicle. [50] The cream-white colour of the Shiba Inu is not caused by any spotting gene but by strong dilution of pheomelanin. Black is dominant, so puppy will be black . The loci associated with coat color in dogs are: A (agouti) locus. [66], There are lots of variations of allele that would affect the dog's hair. Although selective breeding in dogs has been used for centuries, the process became more refined after Gregor Mendels experiments with genetics. The offspring results of this mix (black Pit Bull carrying brown and yellow genes crossed with a yellow Pit Bull with a brown nose) will look like this: Each puppy has a 25% chance of being black, brown, yellow with a brown nose, or yellow with a black nose. The S allele makes little or no white color, and the sp allele creates piebald (irregular patches of two colors) patterns. In conclusion, a red, brown or even white-coated dog with amber eyes and a liver or pink nose is carrying this gene. Based on this research the degree of White Spotting is dependent on the Promoter Length (Lp) to produce less or more color. Each of the pigments, eumelanin and phaeomelanin, has a "default" color that can be modified by various genes. The researchers' results supports the idea that humans have bred for white spotting over thousands of years because they could show that some types of spotting were not due to a single mutation, but dependent on several interacting distinct mutations that arose at different time points. Although a third allele in the spotting locus has not been proven, two alleles are responsible for creating white spots on any coat color. White Rottweiler Color Genetics. Dogs with a higher CNV were observed to have darker, richer colors such as deep gold, red, and chestnut. Genes can even tell a cell to switch gears and change from the production of eumelanin to phaeomelanin to create a hair that is both black and red! If eumelanin is absent in the eyes, the dog has blue eyes. $250 (Negotiable) Pitbull. Therefore a heterozygous dog will have some white markings like the dog pictured below. Ostrander and A. Ruvinsky contains a chapter entitled "Molecular Genetics of Coat Colour Texture and Length in the Dog" by Christopehre B. Kaelin and Gregory S. Barsh. So there you have it. Underneath their fluffy white coat is a sturdy body which tends to be relatively free of hereditary health problems. It could be a fawn dog . For normal Yorkshire Terriers Piebald spotting sp sp is not allowed. [39], One of the variation of M allele is Mc and Mc+. 'As a result of the change in MITF gene regulation, not all pigment cells find their way to the dog's skin during embryonic and fetal development. Some breeds (e.g., Rhodesian Ridgeback, Thai Ridgeback) have an area of hair along the spine between the withers and hips that leans in the opposite direction (cranially) to the surrounding coat. Featured Image Credit: Anna Hoychuk, Shutterstock. Any dog can be tested for the mutant gene, and breeds at risk likely should be tested. A melanocyte can be signaled to produce either color of melanin. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines). [40] There is disagreement as to the number of alleles that occur at the S locus, with researchers sometimes postulating a conservative two[41] or, commonly, four[42] alleles. IGF1R (Insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor) and HMGA2 (High-mobility group AT-hook 2) are incomplete dominant with delicate dwarfs vs compact large dogs and heterozygotes closer to the homozygous dwarfed phenotypes. Each dog's pattern is unique. All known genes are on separate chromosomes, and therefore no gene linkage has yet been described among coat genes. White in shaggy haired dogs is not only ugly it is a sign if heavy loss of pigment and therefore a falling off of the dog's constitutional hardness, a danger for breeding" . [4] Spatial-dependent signaling results in parts of the body with different levels of each pigment. [55] The same applies for Dobermann Pinschers suffering from Blue dog syndrome. Using a for-profit organization for testing is less expensive, but the results may not be as accurate as a non-profit tester. . This larger dog hails from Hungary and sports a shaggier white coat. It also influences the pheomelanin pigment, which means a sable dog with the harlequin gene can become white with black and tan patches. greys at a young age is not caused by, The effect of the ticking gene(s) is to add back little coloured spots to areas made white by piebald spotting (, A blue dog nose is genetically impossible. Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Merle. However, a number of genes can affect nose colour. Explaining the roles of the gene sites on coat color helps you understand the complexity of guessing a dogs color, but using Punnett squares enables you to visualize the effect of mating dogs with different genetic backgrounds. It is thought that the spotting that occurs in Dalmatians is the result of the interaction of three loci (the S locus, the T locus and F locus) giving them a unique spotting pattern not found in any other breed.[45]. E.g. Genotyp ee and bb for brown eumelanin causes red fur and liver-nose. black color in . Most white spotting on dogs is determined by the genes on the S locus.When we use the term "white spotting" we simply mean white areas on the dog, not actually white spots. That means that each parent is represented by Bb and Bb. Genetics Basics Coat Color Genetics In Dogs. In recent years genetic testing for the alleles of some genes has become available. In dogs with recessive red the Merle factor can be hidden, as they don't have eumelanin in the fur. Together these genes account for the variation in coat color seen in dogs. technology (Tech Xplore) and medical research (Medical Xpress), To set the record straight, not all white . Puppy doesn't carry any black, so it must be liver . 10 Best Budget Dog Foods for Large Breeds in 2023: Reviews & Top Picks, The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database, How to Help an Abused Dog Recover 8 Tips and Tricks, Answered by Dr. Joanna Woodnutt, MRCVS (Vet), Dog Breaks or Tears a Nail? Unlike the other hairless breeds, the AHT is born fully coated, and loses its hair within a few months. There are two different genes for coat color - fawn and brindle. A third allele exists in the extension gene: E m. Disorders inherited as X-linked recessive disorders affect males more often than females. Phaeomelanin creates reds that range from deep red (Irish Setter) to orange, cream, gold, yellow, or tan. Dogs with a k y k y result will show a coat color pattern based on the result they have at the A (Agouti) Locus. HELPFUL LINKS These are indepth guides to various real life genetics that may be helpful to some! DNA tests sold to dog owners online are typically commercial operations, but non-profit testing companies, like those run by universities, perform detailed DNA analyses for breeders. The genetic determination of white spotting in dogs is complex. The Irish Water Spaniel may share the same pattern gene, although unlike the Afghan Hound, the IWS is otherwise genetically a long-haired (fixed for l/l) breed. The White Poodle. The number of each gene a Boxer gets determines its coat color. Bichon Frises are fuzzy white bubbles of dogs. Pippa Mattinson is the best selling author of The Happy Puppy Handbook, the Labrador Handbook, Choosing The Perfect Puppy, and Total Recall. The genes responsible for the determination of coat colour also affect other melanin-dependent development, including skin colour, eye colour, eyesight, eye formation and hearing. People have postulated several alleles at the C locus and suggested some/all determine the degree to which an animal expresses phaeomelanin, a red-brown protein related to the production of melanin, in its coat and skin. In case two carriers have offspring, according to the law of segregation an average of 25% of the puppies are homozygous and express the off-colour in the phenotype, 50% become carriers and 25% are homozygous for the standard colour. . This page was last edited on 29 January 2023, at 20:16. Typically, Labradors come in three coat colors: yellow, chocolate, and black. The four alleles in the locus are melanistic mask (Em), grizzle (Eg), black (E), and red (e). With a global reach of over 10 million monthly readers and featuring dedicated websites for science (Phys.org), Two genetic variants have been associated with congenital ichthyosis in the Golden . 21 Tricolored Dog Breeds - (+ How Color Genetics Works) April 23, 2022 by Shayla McConnell. Laws Behind the Genetics of Dog Breeding Pheomelanin is a red pigment with yellow or gold as the default color. When a color says "with Irish White/Flashy White etc." or just "Piebald", that refers to White Spotting "S". This is another . Only 20 pics are allowed so I had to split it. Each hair follicle is surrounded by many melanocytes (pigment cells), which make and transfer the pigment melanin into a developing hair. 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Merle is a genetic pattern that can be in a dog's coat.Merle comes in different colors and patterns and can affect all coat colors. This means that in semi-random genes (M merle, s spotting and T ticking), the expression of each element is independent. "White Schnauzers are the result of a complex mix of genetics." Even with this cross-breeding, the overall look and color combinations of the Standard were generally maintained in the Miniature. Genetics And History Of White Boxers. The Afghan Hound has a unique patterned coat that is long with short patches on the chest, face, back and tail. Pitbull mix Price On Call. Specifically, the breed standard colors were maintained to the original black, and salt & pepper. A K B K B or K B k y result means the dog is dominant black, which overrides the fur pattern that would otherwise be determined by the A . I will post a part 2 but it is for unknown genetics. Piebald Markings. The patches are randomly positioned and can cover any number of noses, from a tiny pink blob to almost the entire nose. Nicole wants to share her kitty expertise with you so you and your cat. A breeder who mates two black adult dogs may be happy when the offspring are all black, but on another attempt with two other black dogs, they notice that one of the pups is brown. Dapple Colored Dachshunds. White is only admissible for herdsman's dogs. . Butterfly noses are sometimes seen on dogs with extreme white spotted patterns, but usually they are associated with meteorite coloration. Krista Williams, BSc, DVM, CCRP; Lynn Buzhardt, DVM. As described in the Standard, the base color in the blue Australian Cattle Dog presents as black. D (dilute) locus. X and Y are the sex chromosomes. These spots are random and asymmetric. Here are those three possible combinations of 'bee' gene that a dog could inherit again, with the coat color that results. Identify the news topics you want to see and prioritize an order. A white dog must be disqualified. The alleles at the W locus (the R-spondin-2 gene or RSPO2) determine the coarseness and the presence of "facial furnishings" (e.g. 'The fact that our domestic animals have a relatively long history (thousands of generations) and selection to change traits like coat color patterns has been very strong means that we now have a number of examples of the evolution of gene variants associated with several consecutive genetic alterations in the same gene and the MITF gene in dogs is one of the most beautiful examples of this', says Leif Andersson. Some of the loci associated with canine coat color are: Several loci can be grouped as affecting the shade of color: the Brown (B), Dilution (D), and Intensity (I) loci. [35] The H locus is a modifier locus (of the M locus) and the alleles at the H locus will determine if an animal expresses a harlequin vs merle pattern. the Science X network is one of the largest online communities for science-minded people. [3] Each of these has at least two known alleles. Recessive red can mask other color variants. beard, moustache, eyebrows). Breeders have capitalized on this and now breed specifically for this genetic mutation. It has been accepted for years now, that dogs with spots of color that represent 10% or less of the total body color, may be designated Platinum. The dark spots can be any color. Genes associated with hair length, growth and texture. These phases are: Most dogs have a double coat, each hair follicle containing 1-2 primary hairs and several secondary hairs. It also influences the pheomelanin pigment, which means a sable dog with the harlequin gene can become white with black and tan patches. Patterns of medium-sized individual spots, smaller individual spots, and tiny spots that completely cover all white areas leaving a roan-like or merle-like appearance (reserving the term large spots for the variation exclusive to the Dalmatian) can each occur separately or in any combination. Melanocytes are the cells within the hair follicles that add melanin to the hair as it grows and determine basic coat color. There are four known alleles that occur at the A locus: Most texts suggest that the dominance hierarchy for the A locus alleles appears to be as follows: Ay > aw > at > a; however, research suggests the existence of pairwise dominance/recessiveness relationships in different families and not the existence of a single hierarchy in one family. Some breeds of dog do not grow hair on parts of their bodies and may be referred to as hairless. To investigate how genetics aligns with breed characteristics, Morrill et al. Rarely, the entire coat is affected, resulting in an albino dog with red eyes. Hidden Patterning K (Dominant Black) Locus. Many genes impact the color of a dog by manipulating these two basic pigments. As such, there are no genetic markers for red pigment. Many dog owners will pay more for a pure white dog. Pitbull. This gene is located on the X chromosome.The orange allele is O, and is codominant with non-orange, o. Journal of Animal Breeding and Genetics, 2009; The Labrador Site Founder. Genes essentially dilute the pigment into these other colors by preventing the production of full strength eumelanin. While most people can accept the fact that a dog's coat color can predict a human being's emotional response to the dog . "Dudley nose" is a dog with a loss of pigment on its nose. Nicole Cosgrove. [74] It is believed that the PMEL/SILV merle gene is linked to the HMGA2 size gene, meaning that alleles are most often inherited together, accounting for size differences in merle vs non-merle litter mates, such as in the Chihuahua and the Great Dane (merles usually larger) and Shetland Sheepdog (merles frequently smaller). Homozygous ee causes red or yellow fur. K (dominant black) locus. Melanin is not always produced at a steady rate, so the tip of a dogs hair may be darker than the rest of the hair shaft. The high incidence of the MDR1 mutation in long . Heterozygotes (R/r) have wavy hair that is easily distinguishable from either homozygote. Corded coats, like those of the Puli and Komondor are thought to be the result of continuously growing curly coats (long + wire + curly) with double coats, though the genetic code of corded dogs has not yet been studied. Pigments are produced in cells called melanocytes, and the distribution and number of these cells are determined by the dog's genetic makeup. Two alleles are theorised to occur at the G locus: The alleles at the theoretical T locus are thought to determine whether an animal displays small, isolated regions of pigment in otherwise s-spotted white regions. PLoS ONE, Provided by Eumelanin (black/etc.)