Melanism
Melanism is like albinism, except it turns the coat black due to a excess of melanin. The overpigmentaion doesn't need to be complete, and markings can show through on the kukuri. Or, if you desire, you can make them completely Black and exhibit absolutely no markings at all.
However, you can not show some markings and hide other; either no markings show, or all markings are slightly visible.
The only marking the Melanism mutation does not affect is Luminescent. Similarly, Melanism does not affect a kukuri's mouth color.
Melanism coat colors can be found on the Coat Colors page! Melanism can also be desaturated black, and does not need to use the sliders.
Melanism also can not show shades of white. The absolute lightest shades you can get are found on the coat color page's melanism pearl slider.
Melanism can have brownish or golden eyes. This color can not be inherited by offspring as it is
caused specifically by this mutation. Any offspring of an melanistic kukuri has to inherit its eyes color from either the
other parent, or the grandparents of the melanistic kuku.
Melanism does NOT affect mouth color! This can be taken right from the parents, or be a free mouth color!
Melanism does NOT affect mouth color! This can be taken right from the parents, or be a free mouth color!
When Albino and Melanism appears together
When both Albino and Melanism appear on the geno, they create a chimeric effect where both coat mutations appear on the kukuri
in a patchwork effect. The kukuri could for example be split in half or have spots of albino coat on a melanistic base.
When both Albino and Melanism are present on the geno, they can create a noninheritable heterochromia in a similar manner as Chimera or Piebald – as long as appropriate coat mutation goes over the eye. The eye colors follow the normal rules of Albino and Melanism.
• Albino + Melanism follow the same dividing rules as Chimera, meaning that even if the design can be patchy it still should be easy enough for the design approver to determine what is going on with the design.
• Albino + Melanism use the same geno, meaning you can’t use the other coat mutation to hide markings. If for example the Albino side is showing markings, Melanism has to show them too. Similarly if one hides markings and appears in a solid color, the other has to do it too.
• Markings also follow the same rules no matter if part of it is affected by the other coat mutation, meaning you can not mix marking's border textures or use multiple colors.
When both Albino and Melanism are present on the geno, they can create a noninheritable heterochromia in a similar manner as Chimera or Piebald – as long as appropriate coat mutation goes over the eye. The eye colors follow the normal rules of Albino and Melanism.
• Albino + Melanism follow the same dividing rules as Chimera, meaning that even if the design can be patchy it still should be easy enough for the design approver to determine what is going on with the design.
• Albino + Melanism use the same geno, meaning you can’t use the other coat mutation to hide markings. If for example the Albino side is showing markings, Melanism has to show them too. Similarly if one hides markings and appears in a solid color, the other has to do it too.
• Markings also follow the same rules no matter if part of it is affected by the other coat mutation, meaning you can not mix marking's border textures or use multiple colors.
Existing Examples of Melanism
Pure dark Melanism
Melanism with marks
Albino + Melanism
