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Love cornsnakes. Puzzled somewhat by the genetics involved. So my basic question is if I breed two amelanistic corns what will be the result? Normals? Or would I get amelanistic? Thanks.

>>Love cornsnakes. Puzzled somewhat by the genetics involved. So my basic question is if I breed two amelanistic corns what will be the result? Normals? Or would I get amelanistic? Thanks.
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Useful stuff on the Serpentine Widgets website:
Morph Library
Genetics and Inheritance Tutorial
Snake Measuring Program
Cornsnake Glossary

If we're talking strictly amelanistic individuals who aren't heterozygous for anything else, then your assumed offspring would be all amel.

Lets try and break it down a little to elementary terms:

Normal colouration is dominant. So lets say the only gene they can throw is: A = gene for normal colouration.

Amelanistic is recessive. So lets say the only gene they can throw is: a = gene for amelanistic colouration.

It takes two copies of a recessive gene for the animal to visibly exhibit the trait, id est lacking black pigment.

In the case of two amelanistic snakes, their genes would be: aa and aa, respectively. The only genes they can throw towards sperm/egg are: a. And when recombined at fertilization, would be: aa = amelanistic snake.

Serpwidget's site really helps to understand all of this if you don't have a natural inclination towards biology or genetics. You can even do tutorials on genetics with Encarta, that go through step by step the whole Punnett method of figuring out proposed genotypes of offspring. =)

I hope I helped you some, and didn't further deepen your confusion.
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~*Taceas*~
rain@mainecoon.net

"And shepherds we shall be, for thee my lord for thee. Power hath decended forth from thy hand so our feet may swiftly carry out thy command. And we shall flow a river forth to thee and teeming with souls shall it ever be. In nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti." - The Boondock Saints

Both of these replys are greatly appreciated. It's beginning to make more sense to me. I just need to spend more time studying and getting a mental picture in my head. I do want to understand completely and to confidently begin breeding in a small fashion. Thanks again.