I-locus (pheomelanin intensity)

The I locus influences the color intensity of pheomelanin. The I stands for intensity. The bright pigment can take on different colors: from intense red or orange to yellow and cream to white. The dominant I allele results in color-intensive pheomelanin (red, orange, yellow), the recessive i allele results in cream, cream-white or white. The expression of pheomelanin in the coat is initially determined by the E, K and A loci. The I locus then determines whether the bright areas show additional brightening.