Indigo
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 | |
| Heterozygous indigo blue bar. | |
|---|---|
| Locus | In locus |
| Genetic symbol | In |
| Common name | Indigo |
| Inheritance | Autosomal dominant |
| Mutation type | Colour modifier |
Indigo is an allele at the In locus. This mutation is dominant to wild type.
Contents
Description
On a wild type base, indigo expresses differently depending on if the pigeon is heterozyous or homozygous for the trait. When heterozygous, the blue wing shield and body feathers are slightly changed to a more grey or navy colour, and the wing pattern becomes a more reddish plum or chestnut colour. Homozygous indigo can mimic ash red.
Inheritance
Indigo is an autosomal dominant mutation. This means that only one parent of either sex needs to carry the mutant gene for it to express in the next generation. Unless it is hidden by another modifier, a pigeon not expressing this trait will not pass it onto its children.
History
Likely of Middle Eastern origin. Discovered in white Carneau pigeons, in crosses with racing homers in the mid 1930s.
Phenotypes
Indigo is often found as part of the andalusian phenotype.
