In response to the question about hypmelanism...

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

Posted by paalexan on August 03, 2002 at 20:59:59:

I'd respond directly, but it seems I can't... the `message' field doesn't accept any input.

Anyways... A hypomelanistic snake is one with lower than usual amounts of melanin. Melanin is still visibly present, but there's obviously less of it. An amelanistic snake, on the other hand, would have no melanin present.
An albino has no pigment whatsoever... neither any sort of Everglades rat snake, nor any sort of milk snake, is albino. The term `albino' is often confused with `amelanistic' because in mammals melanin is the only pigment, so the terms are synonymous when you're talking about mammals. Reptiles have other pigments (erythrin and xanthin), so `amelanistic' and `albino' are not synonymous with respect to snakes. How you come by a usage of `albino' under which a hypomelanistic snake would be an albino, I really haven't the faintest idea.
`Amelanistic' and `hypomelanistic' don't refer to specific morphs, or have anything to do with what genes are responsible for the condition, or even with whether or not there are any genes responsible for the condition, they simply describe an animal's coloration.

So a hypomelanistic Everglades rat snake is hypomelanistic and not amelanistic because some melanin is still visible... in the eyes, for instance.

It's also worth mentioning that the word is `defunct', and it is not a verb.

Patrick Alexander

Follow Ups:

further thoughts, having read all of this thread rtdunham 08/06/02 (0)
vocabulation rtdunham 08/06/02 (1)
- Re: vocabulation paalexan 08/07/02 (0)
The quotes meant de-funk..as in GET THE FUNK out..more jeff schofield 08/03/02 (17)
- Ah... and yet your meaning remains unclear... paalexan 08/04/02 (16)
  - a couple observations rtdunham 08/06/02 (0)
  - Make a point, not just an arguement....more jeff schofield 08/04/02 (14)
    - Re: Make a point, not just an arguement....more paalexan 08/04/02 (13)
      - ALL THIS and you havent ever seen one?????? jeff schofield 08/05/02 (12)
        
        Re: ALL THIS and you havent ever seen one?????? paalexan 08/05/02 (2)
        
        Did you just agree with me on something???wow jeff schofield 08/05/02 (1)
        
        Re: Did you just agree with me on something???wow paalexan 08/05/02 (0)
        
        Thanks Terry, was looking for opinions,not definitions. jeff schofield 08/05/02 (6)
        
        Re: Thanks Terry, was looking for opinions,not definitions. paalexan 08/05/02 (5)
        
        I love Adam's hypo (hypomelanistic) glades . .> TerryP 08/05/02 (4)
        
        Re: I love Adam's hypo (hypomelanistic) glades . .> paalexan 08/07/02 (0)
        
        PINK eyes dont define Albinism jeff schofield 08/05/02 (2)
        
        Re: PINK eyes dont define Albinism JDM 08/06/02 (0)
        
        No, but they're invariably associated with amelanism (more) paalexan 08/05/02 (0)
        
        It can be frustrating on a forum to get . . .> terryp 08/05/02 (1)
        
        AMEN n/p jeff schofield 08/06/02 (0)