Cat coat genetics basic pattern of stripes that underlies the coat. The basic wild-type tabby gene, "Mc", produces what is called a "mackerel striped" tabby (stripes look like thin fishbones and may break up into bars or spots), while a recessive mutant, "mc", produces a blotched or "classic" tabby pattern (broad bands, whorls, and spirals of dark color on pale background usually with bulls-eye or oyster pattern on flank). The classic tabby is most common in Iran, Great Britain and in lands that were once part of the British Empire and Persian Empire. The gene responsible for this differential patterning has been identified
Short mackerel Short mackerel The short mackerel or shortbodied mackerel ("Rastrelliger brachysoma") is a species of mackerel in the family Scombridae. Its habitat is the shallow waters of Southeast Asia and Melanesia, feeding mainly on small zooplankton. It is of major importance in the fisheries industry. The short mackerel can attain a maximum length of 34.5 cm, but lengths of around 20 cm are more common. It reaches maturity at a length of about 17 cm. The species has the typical appearance of a medium-sized mackerel and is of silver colour. The snout is somewhat pointed. The short mackerel is pelagic but