Pigeons may exhibit a checkered or plain color pattern. In a series of controlled mating...

Pigeons may exhibit a checkered or plain color pattern. In a series of controlled matings, the following data were obtained.

Then F1 offspring were selectively mated with the following results. (The P1 cross giving rise to each F1 pigeon is indicated in parentheses.)

How are the checkered and plain patterns inherited? Select and assign symbols for the genes involved, and determine the genotypes of the parents and offspring in each cross.

HINT: This problem involves an understanding of how traits are inherited and transmitted to offspring. The key to its solution is first to determine whether there is more than one gene pair involved by converting the data to ratios that are characteristic of Mendelian crosses. In the case of this problem, you should consider whether any of the F2 ratio's match Mendel's 3:1 monohybrid ratio.