What Is the Definition of a Pedigree Chart?
Charts are designed to define, document or identify relationships between people, objects, ideas and events. Their detail depends on what the chart is defining about the relationship. Pedigree charts are a type of relationship chart that describes human relationships in a way that organizational charts do not. An organizational chart may contain the history of the moment, but when subjected to loss or change its history changes. Pedigree charts contain a level of history that is unchangeable.
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What Is a Pedigree Chart
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Pedigree charts outline the ancestry of an individual or organism. Charts are generally used for humans, horses and dogs but could be used for plants, too. In the case of humans, pedigree or genealogy charts can show not only the name of the ancestor but their birth date and place of birth as well as the date of marriage and place of marriage for each couple. Pedigree charts can also be drawn to indicate genetics and genetic characteristics.
Using a Pedigree Chart
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Pedigree charts are built based on the creator's focus. If an individual is interested in her own ancestry, then the chart will usually begin with her and move backward in time. The information about the individual is placed in a rectangle on the left of the page followed by her parents' information and then followed by that of each of their parents, etc. Typically the male is noted above the female when couples are identified. Pedigrees can be read left to right or right to left (sometimes called Oriental style).
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Pedigree Chart Formats
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The traditional pedigree format is chronological and uses a simple rectangle for each individual with a line connecting each child to a set of parents. A traditional style chart is also known as a crane's foot because of its resemblance to the thin line of the crane's leg connecting to its foot. Pedigree format types include fan charts and bow tie charts, both of which resemble stadium or large-venue seating charts. Other styles are picture charts, which include photographs of each ancestor, and the tree-of-life or family tree chart, which depicts a tree with separated leaves that contain information on family members.
Genetic Pedigree Chart Symbols
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When used as a way to outline genetics, pedigree charts use a different set of symbols. In these charts males are noted using a square and females are noted using a circle. When particular traits are being identified among the individuals, the square or circle may be filled in with a chosen color, pattern or number.
Animal Pedigree Charts
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Pedigree charts are used to show the purity of an animal's lineage. Proof of lineage often translates into a particular trait or characteristic that identifies the animal as more valuable or useful. Pedigree charts are used in the trading or selling of an animal, to allow entry of that animal into certain associations or organizations and in the breeding process. The American Kennel Club registers breeding to verify dogs' pedigrees.
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