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Posted by tailsnscalesks on November 25, 2002 at 10:37:55:
In Reply to: Re: Hypo vs T+ Albino Eastern Hognose posted by chrish on November 25, 2002 at 00:02:53:
If I remember right from my genetic classes tyrosine is the first "building block" enzyme for color pigment. It has been several years but my understanding was that there could be a defect in many places in the development of their color; therefore, creating many of the different color phases that we have. Talking to Dave Barker confirmed what I had learned, in that there are seven stages of color pigment in snakes, all building from the base enzyme of tyrosine. Albino Burmese pythons are a good example of an animal missing this base enzyme, where as a T+ albino blood python has many different colors, yellow, red, lavender, etc. And the albino leopard geckos, I don't know how many times I've heard the phrase, "that's not an albino".
I agree that T+ and T- are loosely used terms but by using what we already all ready understand about genetics I think we can make an accurate speculation. We don’t have to dissect every fish in order for us to learn how they all swim.
I'll be posting some pictures in here today or tomorrow and I'd like to get everyones input on what this guy might be.
Thanks
:As to the T+ albino, how would you know? A T+ albino is supposed to be an albino that is capable of producing the enzyme tyrosinase (an enzyme needed for the production of melanin. A fault in the tyrosinase gene apparently causes albinism in many species). However, in most species of snakes, calling a snake t+ or t- is a joke. Only in a very few cases has a species ever been tested to see if the albinism is a result of a faulty tyrosinase gene. For all we know, all albino easterns are t+.
:My point is that t+ is a very technical term, not just a descriptor of an unusual albino.
:Just my thoughts on the matter.
