Dominant
Only one dominant gene has to be present for it's effect to show. For example, an agouti gerbil could be AA or Aa and it will still be agouti. If the second gene is uknown, it could be represented be an * or - (A* or A-).
Recessive
For a recessive effect to show, two recessive genes must be present. For example, for a gerbil to be black, it would have to be aa. If only one recessive gene is present, then it's effect will be masked by the
dominant gene.
| Agouti gene | Represented by the letters A or a AA or Aa: The gerbil will have a white belly aa:The gerbil will be self colored. EX: changes agouti to black |
| Albino gene | Represented by C, cb, and ch CC-coat color is full Ccb or ch with pp: diluted color cb and ch are both mutations that cause acromelanism, which means that the body is lighter and the extremities like nose, ears, tail and feet are darker colored. cbcb: colorpoint cbch:gerbil will be a lighter colorpoint chch:gerbil will be solid white except its tail; eyes will be pink |
| Extension gene | Represented by the letter E, e or ef EE or Ee: normal colored ee:introduces gold; changes agouti to dark eyed honey efef:the gerbil is born orange then when it molts fades to whtie; called schimmel |
| Grey gene | Represented by G or g GG or Gg: The gerbil will be normally colored gg:introduces grey into the coat. Changes agouti to grey agouti |
| Eye Color gene | Represented by P or p PP or Pp: gerbil will have black eyes (except when chch is present) pp:gerbil will have ruby eyes |
| Spotting gene | Represented by Sp Spsp:gerbil will be spotted with white spsp:gerbil will be solid SpSp: lethal; SpSp gerbils will die before they are born |