Hi- You are right...Some of the snows and hypos have clear nails, but many do not. The clear nail trait is a separate recessive trait that many beardeds have, including some (but not all) snows and hypos. The Leucistics all have clear nails because they happened to posses that trait in the beginning but, just because an animal has clear nails, does not mean it is Leucistic. Mark Leshock did import some leucistics from the same person that I impoted the bloodline from, however I only imported heterozogotes. Originally the line was very weak, due to inbreeding but, after producing my first few leucistics, I bred the leucistic males to several unrelated "normal" females to create a new group of fairly unrelated breeders. Of course all of their offspring were heterozygous, but with 50% new blood. Then I bred the offspring of various "unrelated" (actually 50% related) groups together to produce strong, healthy leucistics. That is why it has taken so long to finally produce enough healthy leucistics to offer for sale. Right now I have several breeder groups consisting of only heterozygous adults and I expect to have leucistic offspring available soon. Please call me at 310 970 1393 for more info. Thanks, Kevin
----- Original Message -----
From: AGayAtTheLake@aol.com
To: dden@verizon.net
Sent: Saturday, December 04, 2004 8:40 PM
Subject: Hypo/Snow bloodlines and clear nails
There is a guy stating that all of your snows have clear nails..... I remeber you posting pics of a hatchling that came out with either all or many clear nails but thought that your hypo/snows weren't a genetic clear nailed beardie? Am I wrong when I say that the hypo/snow line is a form of hypomelanism that only effects the dermal layer melanophores which is why they can still darken when cold yet have reduced black on the surface or dermal layer... Also since the dermal melanophorees aid in color production, pattern production wouldn't this also suggest that the dermal melanophores are disfunctional? As the dragons become lighter color fades and so does the pattern. All related to melanophore disfunction? Would you agree? None of my hypos or snows had clear nails at all. I knoiw that the ones I had came indirectly from your facilities so I am confused as to where this guy is getting that all your snow dragons are clearnailed specimens... Really I think he is confused but I don't want to spread false info either.... Please help!
Also, did you import the leucistic dragon line? I was told by Rob Dachiu you did but this guy is saying that you didn't. Rob said that Mark imported them first but they didn't thrive well and later you imported them again and have done much better with them. What is the truth? Also, do any of your specimens have black or blue eyes?
If you get a chance please check out the kingsnake forum on the gentics posts... My User name is InTheBlue
I'm not trying to start any trouble for anyone or play any politc crap I just want to get this cleared up so people will stop calling their animals something they are not and spreading confusion which could cause alot of other problems as far as inbreeding and such go. i plan on putting genetic info on all the bloodlines on a dedicated page of my website so any help will be much appreciated!!!
Thanks for your time!
Robert
-----
A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds,
adored by little statesmen, philosophers and divines.
Ralph Emerson
