While this isn't addressing the question, the arabesque boa also arose "spontaneously" from snakes that didn't show the trait. It is also a codominant trait. I've always found its origin interesting, but never seen it discussed since the few things Hammond wrote about it several years ago.

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• OK, Scoria Boas; So how did this happen? - boaphile, Sat Jun 9 09:51:29 2007
• Arabesque boas - Viandy, Sat Jun 9 10:11:13 2007
• Actually - giantkeeper, Sat Jun 9 10:56:03 2007
• RE: OK, Scoria Boas; So how did this happen? - whitneywee, Sat Jun 9 10:30:27 2007
• That does make more sense to me... more - boaphile, Sat Jun 9 13:01:12 2007
• Like a modifier gene? link. . . . - skyslinger, Sat Jun 9 13:11:05 2007
• Further clarification and more ???s - boaphile, Sat Jun 9 18:29:42 2007
• Jeff - giantkeeper, Sat Jun 9 10:54:17 2007
• There have been two - boaphile, Sat Jun 9 12:09:59 2007
• I - giantkeeper, Sat Jun 9 12:57:27 2007
• That darn lightning... - skyslinger, Sat Jun 9 11:02:13 2007
• Don't tell anyone but I'll bet you $100 - boaphile, Sat Jun 9 12:24:11 2007
• Oops I forgot to use my spell check - boaphile, Sat Jun 9 12:50:18 2007
• I'd be bettin against myself... - skyslinger, Sat Jun 9 12:59:46 2007