White Spotting in the Fox

Abstract
Records were compiled from commercial fox ranches on the inheritance of platinium and white markings in the fox. Conforming with other findings, platinum (Wp) was due to an auto-somal dominant which was lethal when homozygous. White-face (W), another dominant gene, was also lethal in the homozygous condition. Standard silver, the 3d allelic gene in this series, was symbolized as w+. White-face differed from platinum in that the black of the animal was intense. Completely white pups which were dead at birth or died shortly after were occasionally found. These were thought to be the homozygous individuals. Although the data were insufficient, a multiple allelic hypothesis is favored over the independent inheritance of the genes. The matings of platinum X white-face parents produced 7 platinum, 6 white-face, and 5 silver progeny, which agreed fairly well with the 1:1:1 expectation. There were produced 9 platinum to 10 silver pups in matings of 1 of these platinum males with 3 silver [female][female]. The relation of white-face to platinum and silver was explained by a progressive chromosome deficiency. A similar phenotypic character, white ears, was shown by breeding data to be caused by a gene in another chromosome. The 2 seemed supplemental in their action. White pups were produced in matings of white-marked and white-eared parents. Blue occasionally occurred in either or both eyes in these types. White-eared foxes were more nervous than normal foxes.