How to Read Pedigree Charts
A pedigree chart is like a family tree, typically used for animals. It allows you to track the generations of an animal starting with a single couple. This is especially helpful when watching certain traits, such as fur color in rabbits. The pedigree chart shows the parents and its offspring, along with the gender of each rabbit and which ones have the specific trait. The information can vary depending on the type of animal. A dog's pedigree chart, for example would track his breed and the breed of his ancestors. Charts may also ensure an animal is a purebred. A pedigree chart only takes a few minutes to learn.
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Instructions
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Start at the top of the pedigree chart. A square is the symbol for a male and a circle is the symbol for a female. The horizontal lines connecting a square and circle show that the pair mated. Vertical lines connecting a pair to other squares or circles show its offspring.
For example, a chart tracking how often a certain characteristic, such as fur color in rabbits, would start with the original male and female pair with a horizontal line connecting them. A vertical line would connect them to its offspring, and more horizontal lines would show mating between the offspring and other rabbits.
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Follow the vertical lines to trace the reproduction cycle through the various generations. The pedigree chart can become quite large depending on how many generations are recorded and how many offspring were produced.
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Examine the key for the chart to determine what colors represent what traits. For example, blue might mean a rabbit shows the trait of having a certain color of fur. Any squares or circles shaded blue would mean the rabbit had that color of fur.
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Use the chart to determine how the trait was passed on. Over time, a pattern becomes evident and its easier to predict how likely it is that the next generation will have the trait in question.
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