Merle - SINE Insertion from Mc - Mh: The Incredible Story of Merle

This book contains the most up-to-date and detailed information available regarding the Merle SINE Insertion, based on the "langevin et al" research paper published on Sept, 20, 2018 to PLOS ONE. Langevin M, Synkova H, Jancuskova T, Pekova S (2018) PLoS ONE 13(9): e0198536. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0198536 Received: May 10, 2018; Accepted: August 9, 2018; Published: September 20, 2018 7 alleles on the M Locus “Merle phenotypes in dogs – SILV SINE insertions from Mc to Mh” • m Non-Merle - Wild Type • Mc Cryptic Merle 200 - 230 bp • Mc+ Cryptic Merle + 231 - 246 bp • Ma Atypical Merle 247 - 254 bp • Ma+ Atypical Merle + 255 - 264 bp • M Merle 265 - 268 bp • Mh Harlequin Merle 269 - 280 bp My book expands upon information in the research paper, approached in a way that it is easy to understand and follow. My mission has always been to educate in an accessible and understandable way for everyone, within every breed who has an investment in the Merle trait. The lengths of each allele were arrived at specifically to address the needs of breeders FOR BREEDERS - BY BREEDERS In order to achieve these precise results of “genotype = phenotype”, there must be a working knowledge of dogs in pedigrees; parents, offspring and related individuals through generations. This is a prime example of how breeders of all breeds, who are on the frontlines of recognizing the colors and patterns from parent to offspring, have been instrumental in helping labs and researchers to develop new testing. Perplexing questions in regards to M locus are answered in this book - Where did the Merle trait come from? "Cryptic Merle - Mc - 200 - 230 bp" - How does it express? How does it breed? What defines a "Merle x Merle" breeding? What combine of alleles can delete pigment to white? What is "mosaicism" and how can it affect my dog's pattern? What can their offspring inherit? Can I safely breed my Mc - Cryptic Merle to an M - Merle mate? What are the genetics of a "Minimal Merle" pattern? How can I breed safely to reduce the risk of vision and/or hearing impairments? What is the difference between "Non-expressing Merle" and "Hidden/Masked Merle"? What is the difference between "Homozygous Merle" and "Double Merle" combinations? Addressing Myths and Speculations