PLUMAGE COLOR INHERITANCE OF THE INDIAN BLUE PEAFOWL (PAVO-CRISTATUS) - BLUE, BLACK-SHOULDERED, CAMEO, AND OATEN

The genetic basis for two plumage color mutations of the Indian Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) was determined from an analysis of 93 matings made over a 10-year period. The black-shouldered phenotype results from a single autosomal recessive gene to which the gene symbol bs is assigned. This gene's action is one of a dilution factor in chicks and juveniles of both sexes and in the adult pea-hen. However, it behaves as a melanistic factor in the adult peacock. The cameo phenotype results from the action of a single sex-linked recessive gene to which the gene symbol ca is assigned. This gene's action produces birds that are various shades of brown. When both mutant genes are present, the phenotype is known as "oaten" and the resulting birds express the dilution, melanistic, and browning effects of both these genes.