>Its my understanding (and I am probably wrong) that every single boa in a harlequin X normal clutch is a harlequin, no matter what it looks like. Furthermore, it has been said that, even the most normal looking harlequins can still produce the great looking striped/colorful harlequin offspring.

That doesn't square with the genetics of dominant mutant genes that I have seen in other species (mouse and pigeon). As I have never seen more than pictures of harlequins, I have no actual data. But I'd need to see actual data to believe that harlequin acts so unusually.

I can easily believe that harlequins show variation. And I can accept incomplete penetrance, where a harlequin looks normal while still being able to pass the gene on. It's the production of ALL harlequins from a heterozygous harlequin x normal that requires evidence.

Paul Hollander

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