Melanin is not black, it is brown....

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Milk Snake Forum ]

Posted by Chris H. on July 24, 2002 at 09:04:52:

In Reply to: a point of view on the hypo discussion... posted by terry, albino tricolors on July 23, 2002 at 23:31:52:

look at someone who has black hair, for example. It is not "black", it is really dark brown.

I assume (I don't know) that the melanin that snakes produce is homologous to the melanin that other vertebrates (including humans) produce. If a band gets a lot of melanin, it is black, if it gets less (dare I say "hypo") it is more brown.

What makes a snake look black may have a lot to do with the iridescence of the scale surface as much as the amount of melanin. Look for example at "black" snakes with non-reflective scales (Black Pines and Mole Snakes come to mind). When you look closely them, you see that they are actually just really dark brown. Yet a shiny scaled snake (like a gaigae) looks black. (I'm not saying this is the case with hypos, just that the "blackness" of snakes is attributable to more than just the amount of melanin present).

One other point to consider. In humans, skin color is controlled by the presence of melanin. But there are at least 4 loci which affect the dosage of melanin directly. If you have 8 doses of the melanin producing alleles, you have the darkest skin, if you have 8 doses of the non-melanin producing alleles, you are the palest skinned. Most people are somewhere in between.

It is very possible that the real hypos are animals which have less than the full dose of melanin because the dosage of melanin is regulated by more than one gene in snakes as well.

Follow Ups:

Actually.... Tim Madsen 07/24/02 (0)
chris, is this simply wrong? And re: iridescence.... terry, albino tricolors 07/24/02 (1)
- No. Of course Bechtel is right, but we don't disagree.............. Chris H. 07/24/02 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: look at someone who has black hair, for example. It is not "black", it is really dark brown. : I assume (I don't know) that the melanin that snakes produce is homologous to the melanin that other vertebrates (including humans) produce. If a band gets a lot of melanin, it is black, if it gets less (dare I say "hypo") it is more brown. : What makes a snake look black may have a lot to do with the iridescence of the scale surface as much as the amount of melanin. Look for example at "black" snakes with non-reflective scales (Black Pines and Mole Snakes come to mind). When you look closely them, you see that they are actually just really dark brown. Yet a shiny scaled snake (like a gaigae) looks black. (I'm not saying this is the case with hypos, just that the "blackness" of snakes is attributable to more than just the amount of melanin present). : One other point to consider. In humans, skin color is controlled by the presence of melanin. But there are at least 4 loci which affect the dosage of melanin directly. If you have 8 doses of the melanin producing alleles, you have the darkest skin, if you have 8 doses of the non-melanin producing alleles, you are the palest skinned. Most people are somewhere in between. : It is very possible that the real hypos are animals which have less than the full dose of melanin because the dosage of melanin is regulated by more than one gene in snakes as well.

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Milk Snake Forum ]

KINGSNAKE.COM

Enjoy all our content free of charge with a user account that gives you full access to every feature. For added visibility, paid options are available - post in our Classifieds, showcase your business with Banner Ads or a Directory listing, promote reptile events, and more.

Melanin is not black, it is brown....

KINGSNAKE.COM

Quick Links

Community

Legal & Safety

Support