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Homo and Hetero

Maizeysdad Jul 22, 2012 03:26 PM

If you look carefully at these pictures, something interesting is observable. With the Sterling and a het next to each other, you can see that the awesome coloration of the Sterling is present and peeking out in the het. The natural pattern on the het tends to obscure the underlying colors, but they are there.

So what, you say? It just shows how the gene works. It removes the pattern-forming pigment on the top, allowing the base colors which are already there to be seen without obstruction. What will this mean with hypos, Bloods, Jungles, T 's, albinos, aneries, etc? Can't wait to find out.









Replies (3)

mike_panic Jul 24, 2012 04:42 PM

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Honesty is my only policy
www.mikepanicreptiles.com

Warren_Booth Jul 27, 2012 01:05 PM

Stunning pictures and killer animals.

Quick question. How, at this stage, do you know the trait is recessive and not incomplete dominant? You have not bred non-sterling sibling to non-sterling sibling yet, correct?

Warren
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Dr Warren Booth / Director USARK
North Carolina State University
Department of Entomology

Maizeysdad Jul 28, 2012 07:32 AM

Thanks Doc,

My reasoning is that since the "hets," while colorful and attractive, are not remarkably different from wild type boas (at least not in the way hypos, motleys, etc. are different), and because of the ratios of Sterlings to non-Sterlings in both litters I've produced, it seems to be recessive.

Also, in the first litter (presumed het x het), there were animals that definitely looked "wild type," while the rest of the non-Sterlings have an appearance I'm considering a het marker. In the second litter (visual x het) there are no simple "wild type" looking animals. All the non-Sterlings have that particular look.

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