Uncovering the Mystery of the Chimera Cat
Since humans domesticated cats in the Middle East around 10,000-12,000 years ago, which coincided with the shift from hunting to farming, cats have always attracted human attention, both as part of ritual mysticism and as human friends.
According to Prof. Ronny Rachman Noor, an expert in ecological genetics at IPB University, in the era of modern evolution, human intervention has produced new breeds of cats that vary significantly according to human preferences, which we know as pedigree cats. The diversity of body shapes and sizes, ears, fur, and diversity of colors, as well as body and eye color patterns, make cats one of their favorite pets and fun friends.
“However, among the various uniqueness of cats, one type of cat that is full of mystery is the chimera cat. In terms of physical appearance, especially the color pattern, this chimera cat has an appearance like a combination of two different cats so that there is a chimera cat whose one side of its body has very different color characteristics from the color of the other side of its body with a sharp line like dividing the left and right parts of the body,” explained Prof. Ronny
“The existence of this chimera animal has indeed become a myth in ancient Greek times, which describes a hybrid animal between a snake, a lion, and a goat, a spiritual guardian. In modern life with the increasing development of genetics, the phenomenon of this chimera animal can be explained scientifically,” continued Prof. Ronny.
How does the Chimera Cat occur?
It’s a rare and fascinating occurrence that piques the interest of genetic enthusiasts and cat lovers, sparking a sense of intrigue and fascination.
Under normal circumstances, a cat’s egg cell and sperm cell each have half the number of chromosomes of a cat, which in genetics is called haploid (n). When the egg cell is fertilized by the sperm cell, it brings together two sets of chromosomes from the male and female cats, producing an embryo. This embryo then undergoes differentiation, developing two sets of chromosomes (diploid, 2n), and becomes a cat with 19 pairs of chromosomes. A domestic cat with XX chromosomes will be female, while a cat with 18 pairs of autosomes and XY sex chromosomes will be a male cat.
“However, naturally, although very rare, after fertilization, which should normally occur, the embryo cells will multiply and be followed by cell differentiation into organs and then become individuals; two embryos merge and develop into a unique individual called a Chimera cat,” said Prof. Ronny
“The occurrence of this Chimera cat is similar to non-identical twins, but it does not become two different individuals but becomes one individual with different characteristics in one individual,” explained Prof. Ronny
According to Prof. Ronny, the appearance of the Chimera cat has a split face. The resulting gender depends on the embryo that is joined so that theoretically, this Chimera cat is male with two sets of sex chromosomes (XY + XY) or fertile female cats (XX + XX) and cats with sterile intersex gender (XX + XY).
“The uniqueness of the fusion of 2 different embryos in this Chimera cat is very different from cats or other mammals (including humans) that experience Klinefelter syndrome. In cats, Klinefelter syndrome is also found, which has XXY sex chromosomes which usually experience genetic disorders due to having excess X chromosomes which affect their sexual orientation and reproduction,” explained Prof. Ronny
The uniqueness of the Chimera cat
Due to its unique nature as a fusion of two embryos in the early embryonic phase, the Chimera cat’s appearance is exceptional. Its color characteristics and patterns, such as the distinct left and right dividing lines, often result in overall colors that are striking and dramatic. This unique appearance is a significant factor in the Chimera cat’s status as the most unique and eye-catching cat, leaving the audience amazed and captivated.
According to Prof. Ronny, the incident of the Chimera cat is unique because sometimes it has two different body parts, organ systems, and blood types. Genetically, the Chimera cat has two pairs of chromosomes (4 n), which should generally produce two different individual cats. The Chimera cat has not only two different colored body parts but also different eye colors, which add to its uniqueness.
Some may be curious whether the Chimera cat can live an everyday life. The fusion of these two embryos does not make the Chimera cat abnormal. Its characteristics are no different from those of other normal cats, reassuring us of its acceptance in the feline community and making the audience feel at ease and accepting.
“This Chimera cat can usually behave very sweetly and gently, but sometimes this cat has an independent nature and high self-confidence and is sometimes stubborn,” said Prof. Ronny, the Cat National Breeding Committee.
Prof. Ronny emphasizes that the number of Chimera cats is minimal globally due to the rarity of natural embryo fusion. This occurrence is so infrequent, accounting for only about 1% of all cats, that there is insufficient health data to conclude that Chimera cats have specific health disorders. However, empirical data suggests that the occurrence of chimera in humans is associated with immune system disorders and infertility. As for the health and lifespan of chimera cats, they generally have a similar lifespan and health profile to other cats, with no specific health issues associated with their unique genetic makeup.
Prof. Ronny notes that the Chimera event is not unique to cats. It is also found in humans, monkeys, dogs, and mice, which piqued researchers’ interest. These researchers are exploring the creation of artificial chimeras by combining two different embryos using a micropipette, uniting them, implanting them into the uterus, and developing them into a unique Chimera individual. This research has potential implications for understanding genetic diversity and the development of new genetic techniques in various species, which could be of interest to genetic enthusiasts.
