Genetic Structure and Variation of Van Cats

Abstract

To determine the genetic structure and variation of Van cats and some other cats, seven enzyme loci were examined using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis. ME bands were observed for the first time in cats. For the enzyme loci CA (1) , SOD, GPI, and GOT, neither the individual Van cats nor the specimens of other cat species exhibited any variation. These enzymes presented identical bands, all of which were homozygous. With respect to the PGD, ME, and ESD loci, however, genetic variation was observed in all of the cats. Hence, three of the seven gene-enzyme systems (43%) were polymorphic with two alleles, contributing to an estimate of average heterozygosity of 0.33-0.49 for the Van cats. PGD was the most discriminatory among the three polymorphic loci. The phylogenetic tree indicated that the Van, Persian, Turkish Angora, and Turkish Tekir cats are distinct from Siamese and Bombay cats.