Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm in search of a female panther chameleon to start breeding with the male I already have, question I have is I keep seeing them as well as with other species a F code. (i.e. F1, F2, F3 so on) Now being that I want to start breeding I'm sure I myself am going to have to use these codes in the future. Can anyone out there give me a complete explaination of how this works and what it represents?

Thanks so much!
Tom

That F (F1, F2, etc.) refers to Filial Generations. You start with the "P" or Parent generation, the breeding between these produces the F1 generation, the breeding between those produces the F2 generation, etc.

By the way, there is a glossary in the forums that will explain a lot of terms you may see in here. This link: Glossary will take you there.

Thanks oldherper but might I ask more to complete my understanding!?
The definition states that after my P's bring my first batch of F1's I am to mate brother and sister to get to F2, can you get to F2 by having a second set of P's and using an F1 from each clutch or does it have to be brother and sister? I guess I would need to know the answer to that in order to ask my next question correctly but here goes, that means I need to bred brother and sister from F2 (or any F2?) to get to F3? And finally what exactly are we as breeders trying to do by breeding brother and sister together, I mean we as humans can't do that without ill side effects, is it different with reptiles?

Thanks again
Tom

Yes, for true F2, etc. you would breed siblings. The purpose is to try to bring out a particular genetic trait. The problem is that the more they share desireable genes, the more they share undesireable ones.

The problem is that the more they share desireable genes, the more they share undesireable ones.

In reference to this sentence what would be the most desireable and could the most undesireable be the addition of an extra head, foot or tail being that they are siblings or just like temperment?

Also does this also mean that a F5 would likely sell for more than a F1 or thats not the case?

Thanks
Tom

The desirable trait would be like a particular color or pattern, or something like albinism or anerythrism. The undesireable genes are things such as you mentioned (a snake with feet is considered unusual in most circles these days) and fatal genes.

A product of an F5 generation may be more valuable than one from an F1 generation depending upon morphology and/or genetics (if it's homozygous or heterozygous for one or more desireable traits).