COLOR INHERITANCE IN ORNAMENTAL (KOI) CARP (CYPRINUS-CARPIO L) INFERRED FROM COLOR VARIABILITY IN NORMAL AND GYNOGENETIC PROGENIES

Color variability was investigated in normal (amphimictic) and meiotic gynogenetic progenies produced from seven koi females of several mult icolor traits (Kohaku, Taisho-Sanke, Tancho-Sanke and Shiro-Bekko, acc ording to Japanese classification). Females were crossed with males of the same color trait to obtain normal (amphimictic) progenies. UV-irr adiated sperm of wild-type colored males was used for inducing diploid gynogenetic development; suppression of the second meiotic division i n the eggs was achieved by heat shock. Based on the data obtained, it was concluded that the white-red color complex and the black patches ( occurrence or absence) are inherited independently. The inheritance of the white-red color complex is apparently controlled by many genes. T he segregation ratio of white:white-red:red fish in progenies is highl y variable, and may depend on the rate of red color development in the parents. It is suggested that a dominant gene (Bl) controls the devel opment of black pigment in fry and, correspondingly, black patches in later life stages. The recombination frequency between this gene and i ts centromere, estimated from segregation in meiotic gynogenetic proge nies, is about 0.4.