I like this forum. There are obviously very thoughtful, intelligent and passionate people responding to the threads. Thanks to all...this makes the forums more helpful and enjoyable.










I was about to respond to the general genetics question when I read Dave's post and decided to elaborate with my two cents. The line breeding (selective breeding) of morphs is not that much different than what the kingsnake/cornsnake breeders have done for 20 years to refine the look they are going for. The reason that the F3's, F4's and F5's are nicer is probably because the breeder SELECTIVELY picked the nicest looking babies (morphs) in each litter to breed together. I doubt that the higher F generations would be sought after if the breeder selected for the most drab offspring with poorly defined markings to propagate the next generation. There is definitely an element of inbreeding here as you work toward 'fixing' the genes and making the production of the traits you are selecting for more reliable in the future offspring. BUT I cannot underestimate the power of a diverse gene pool. My thought is that you should start with high genetic diversity (or outcross your line with phenomenal 'normals') before you embark on line breeding (inbreeding) ventures. Also, even if you are on F20....if an unrelated animal (morph or nice normal) has characters that you really like, ...incorporate it into your project. Although you will return to F1, they will be VERY NICE F1's because of all the selection that went on during the past 20 generations. I would consider these offspring sort of a parallel bloodline that has added diversity from the new unrelated parent.

Since I have already gone off on a tangent, I will not respond to the initial post but to say that I have more college genetics than I care to have and I think the post is correct. .... But I do have problem with using the term hypomelanistic for the 'salmon' hypos.... there is a reduction in black to be sure, but I also think there is something that intensifies the red pigment!!!! Otherwise a sunglow would not have additional red pigment and would look very similar to an albino.

This has probably already been discussed, and is a discussion for a separate thread, but the term always bugs me a little.

Thanks guys,
Enjoy your week,

Bryan Hummel
Rainbowboas.com
210_218_7915

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