Indigo

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Indigo
Heterozygous indigo blue bar.)
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.

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.