MouseFancier.com

Phantom Merle

Written by A. Hamilton in October 2007

Merle mice are a very popular variety among fanciers today. They have a striking contrast between solid and merle patches on their body making a very beautiful mouse to behold. However, when breeding for the perfect Merle mouse there are often drawbacks, as with any marked variety.
            Merle mice can have varying degrees of patching. Some have only a few patches of solid color. Some have only a few patches of roan color. Some can even be completely roan or completely solid in appearance.
            In other species, where Merle is also a dominant trait, there is a “Phantom Merle”. This is an animal that has either small or no merle patches on its body, making the animal almost indistinguishable from a solid colored animal. Mice are no exception.
            Sometimes a Merle mouse can have so much solid color on their bodies, that the merle is not visible. This can make for some surprises when a fancier breeds a solid colored mouse and gets Merle or Roan pups in the litter.
            Phantom Merles are also more likely to produce more mice like themselves, since the modifiers for that pattern are already in place. So if one finds they have a Phantom Merle in either their Merle or Self breeding programs, it would be best to remove it from breeding to prevent unwanted results.

Photos of Merle and Phantom Merle mice:

Pictured: Young Merle Buck (NDM Nimbus)
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2006
Owned/Bred by A. Hamilton

Pictured: Same Merle Buck as above, matured (NDM Nimbus)
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2006
Owned/Bred by A. Hamilton

This is the father of the mouse above, this photo and the next photo of Nimbus's daughter give you an idea of how the nicer pattern is passed on.
Pictured: NDM Merlen
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2006
Owned by A. Hamilton/Bred by Timiae Harper

This is the daugther of The mouse NDM Nimbus. The nice pattern was inherited from generation to generation.
Pictured: NDM Premier
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2007
Owned/Bred by A. Hamilton

Recessive Yellow Merle - this mouse looked like a PEW in real life.
Pictured: NDM Pina Colada
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2006
Owned/Bred by A. Hamilton

Phantom Merle Cinnamon buck -This buck (according to the breeder) started out roan. But was not even visible as he matured. He did throw Merle and Roan offspring.
Pictured: HBM Watch How I Soar
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2006
Owned by A. Hamilton/Bred by Heather Barnstein

While this mouse looks merle in the photo, that is actually the sheen from her satin coat reflecting in the flash of the camera. This mouse was a self black. She was out of two merle parents, however, she was actually Merle/Roan as she threw Merle/Roan children.
Pictured: NDM Keeper
Copyright © A. Hamilton 2006
Owned/Bred by A. Hamilton

Phantom Merle

Written by A. Hamilton in October 2007

Mouse Genetics

Phantom Merle