The Aussies are taking over!!!!!

[luckies4me]

Howdy all:

This email is somewhat premature. As some folks know,
I was supposed to have finished an RMHF article by now
to chronicle the introduction of downunder ratties in
the New World. (I am thinking New World because this
gene is definitely like none other seen around here -
plus I would say obscure connections to Australia
exist - Australia and the Americas are the only places
in the world with marsupials, for example.)

Anyway, the gene is out. Four breeders now have these
guys - three in California (including myself), one in
Oregon (to be picked up March 22nd), and one in
Washington State.

I don't personally have a website (one day, one
day...), but the other four are online:

Cassandra Barlow (Romping Rats Rattery):
http://www.geocities.com/luckies4me/index.html

Jennifer Flores (Li'l Rugrats Rattery):
http://www.lilrugrats.com/

Debbi Needham (Odd Fellows Rattery):
http://www.skyclyde.com/

Sandy Sprague (Angel Paws Rattery):
http://angelpawsrattery.tripod.com/

There will also be updated info (some day, some
day...) available on my local fancier's group Rat,
Mouse, and Hamster Fanciers (RMHF):
http://www.ratmousehamster.com/rmhf/

Still working on that RMHF newsletter - lots of
updated info for the downunders will be available in
hardcopy form with the RMHF before elsewhere. (Honest
- just very behind with it all - almost no computer
access this past month!) =P

Since this gene is so new to these lands, I highly
recommend the websites of Tracey York in Australia
(BratPack Rattery and RatManDU):
http://www.ratmandu.com/index.html

Please also view the website of the National Fancy Rat
Society (NFRS) - downunders are now a new
unstandardized variety with the NFRS:
http://www.nfrs.org/

This group will be open to all interested persons.

Thanks for your patience!

Respectfully, Connie Perez.

"This group is dedicated to downunder rats in the New
World - not just the United States or North America.
Downunder rats first arrived in San Francisco, CA on
Friday the 13th, December 2002 - all thanks to Tracey
York in Australia. The RMHF (Rat, Mouse, and Hamster
Fanciers) was the first group to cater to them. From
there, they will find their way to interested fanciers
across the Americas. We are in a unique position to
see this gene find new expression and flavor - we have
genes never seen before in Australia, the native land
of downunder rats. One of the goals of this group is
to explore the new genetic combinations in responsible
and nonabusive ways - we do not wish to exploit or
'puppy-mill' this gene. We also hope to continue the
wonderful work started in Australia. We hope to
understand the unique qualities of the native
Australian color genes. We hope to find better
understanding about this gene - perhaps none like it
exist in the rodent world. We hope to continue close
ties with other breeders worldwide, while maintaining
a focus on the unfolding developments in the New
World. Thank you for stopping by!"

[luckies4me]

These guys are totally new to the USA. (I am trying
to be inclusive of Canada, and anyone else in the
Americas who might be interested down the road...)

Technically, there is no 'nwdu' gene. There is the
original downunder gene from Australia, which was
imported in December of 2002 directly from Australia.

In Australia, they do not have dumbos, and so there is
no confusion for the usage of the symbols 'DU' for
their downunder gene.

As of right now, there is some debate as to whether
downunder (DU), not dumbo (du), is an allele at the
hooded locus, found on rat chromosome 14.

So, that is one extremely important reason that we all
work together on this. Establishing the correct
chromosome and locus will be a great task. This is a
dominant gene - it will be difficult to determine
whether this gene is linked or allelic to any of the
American/UK/European genes that *we* have access to.
(If we had laboratory resources, this would probably
be a much easier task!)

Since Australia cannot import any pet rats, they must
work with a much smaller gene pool than what is
available over here. Literally, *all* of their novel
genes are totally new mutations.

This is literally the very first time that anyone in
the world can confirm and test three novel Australian
genes - Aussie mink, Aussie blue, and Aussie red-eyed
dilution. We are testing these genes right now.

I can't even say which area of the world has the most
diverse rat genes. We have been extremely fortunate
to have English and European genes imported through
the years.

But, knowledge is sometimes lost. For example, the
identity of the blues (USA/UK) was confirmed in the
early 1990s. BUT, that knowledge has not been widely
publicized. I am totally surprised to hear anyone ask
whether English blue will breed true with American
blue - absolutely yes, it does.

We will soon find out whether the same holds true for
Aussie blue, and possibly more genes to come...

In the meantime, getting back to what is so special
about this downunder gene???

Off and on, I have done quite a bit of literature
searches specifically on rat coat color genetics. I
have always been quite fascinated by the hooded
series. Think about it - any hooded mice? Hooded
hamsters? Hooded gerbils?

Rats have a goldmine of spotting genes - all on one
locus! Where does the downunder gene fit in??? If it
is truly a separate gene, it could literally be the
very first of its kind, anywhere in the rodent world -
possibly the mammal world.

(I cannot think of any other mammal species that has
any markings like the downunder rat...)

As of right now, we can't even imagine the potential
this gene has for this country. The first litters
have been born - the first litter has been rehomed.

I hope you can share my enthusiasm. =)

[luckies4me]

A pic? But of course!

[luckies4me]

Freckles as a baby Notice his beautiful spots. He has a colored cap with spots on the back, a white tummy but spotted with black spots. Very unique!

[luckies4me]

Forgot the pic

[Miss Meow]

Originally posted by luckies4me
...In Australia, they do not have dumbos

Oh yes they do

[luckies4me]

I hope you mean people because if you mean rats this would be a real breakthrough to the fancy!!!!!!

[wolf_Q]

Originally posted by luckies4me
I hope you mean people

LOL

No offense or anything (cute rat pics btw!!) but shouldn't this be in Pet General?

[luckies4me]

hehe now that I reread it I suppose it should. Sorry bout that.