Rabbit Genetics: The D Locus

There are 2 genes in the D Locus. The most dominant gene is "D" and the most recessive gene is "d".

~ Dense
"D" is called the Dense gene. This gene can be homozygous for dense. If it is not homozygous for dense then it is heterozygous. All non-diluted (dense) colors carry at least one of these genes. This gene creates the dark color that is seen in certain varieties. Some of the colors that are dense colors are as follows:

Black, Chocolate, Chestnut Agouti, Castor, Sandy, Chocolate Chestnut Agouti, Cinnamon, Black Tortoise, Chocolate Tortoise, Sable, Seal, Black Otter, Black/Orange Tri Color, Black Japanese Harlequin, Orange, and Red.

The dense gene can also carry dilute.

~ Dilute
"d" is called the Dilute gene. This gene has to be homozygous for dilute. It cannot carry dense as a recessive gene cannot carry a dominant gene. This gene creates the dilute (light) color that is seen in certain varieties. Some of the colors that are dilute colors are as follows:

Opal, Lynx, Blue, Lilac, Blue Tortoise, Lilac Tortoise, Smoke Pearl, Cream (Fawn in some breeds), Blue Otter, Blue/Fawn Tri Color, and Blue Japanese Harlequin.

Rabbit Genetics | Genetic Terminology | A Locus | B Locus | C Locus | D Locus | E Locus | Vienna & Broken Loci