Dusty,

Xanthin (yellow pigment) and erythrin (red pigment) are both produced in a specialized pigment cell called xanthophores. Production of the two pigments is often, but not always, linked. Some species produce only xanthin or erythrin, while other species produce a combination of the two. Erythrophores are cells that produce predominately red pigment. Looking at corn snake genetics is probably the easiest (or not... LOL) way to illustrate this:

There are mulitple forms of "anerythrism" which look visually different. One form totally wipes both red and yellow out of the animal. Another form removes the red, but leaves traces of the yellow. Another form removes the red, but leaves (or enhances) the yellow. This is sort of skimming of the topic, and a much deeper explanation is possible.

I'm sure you're already aware of the above, but I just felt like rambling. Maybe Vinny will chime in here - genetics is his specialty.

-Cole

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