Striped cats (genotype A_) will present their stripes in different patterns. The mackerel pattern is characterized by narrow strips that are parallel to one another. This is determined by the dominant TM allele at the “Tabby” gene
Tabby stripes originate from the domestic cat's direct ancestor, the Near Eastern wildcat. When everything goes as planned, cells with DKK4 eventually become the dark markings that make tabby cats tabbies. But mutations often occur, resulting in other coat colors and patterns, such as white spots or thinner stripes.
