Re: thanks for the help paul, more

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Posted by Paul Hollander on April 03, 2002 at 18:31:56:

In Reply to: thanks for the help paul, more posted by jeff s on April 03, 2002 at 13:23:20:

: Paul, I'm keeping all records and the project is at f2(first recross)but I'm getting frustrated with the time period between generations.LOL.

That's the price you pay for working with snakes instead of bacteria. 8-)

: I know there are at least 2 different "albino" genes as well as "axanthic" and normal but I havent had the tyrosine tested yet--I just describing physical charecteristics and trying to relate them to generalizations already familiar t most on this forum. I understand the point of different loci, but I'm just hypothesizing about a cinario(sp?)where 2 albino genes were on the SAME loci.... and would that lead to variation in particular? I dont think this is the case either, but it occured to me that this may be possible.

Two "albino" genes at the same locus? It's not just possible, it's been found. In the black rat snake, xanthic and "t+ albino" are alleles. See Bern Bechtel's paper in the Journal of Heredity in 1985.

The albino mouse (white fur and pink eyes) has a nonfunctioning tyrosinase enzyme. Albino in the mouse has several alleles (chinchilla, himalayan, several others) that have poorly functioning, but not nonfunctioning, tyrosinase. Mixing and matching can give almost any shade between normal and albino.

: Could you get back to me with your idea of what describes "amelanism" and why/how it can be variable. Sorry, spell check not available. Thanks again,Jeff

Other genes, age, and/or environment might cause some melanin to form in some specimens even if most totally lack melanin. I once saw a leucistic garter that had a black spot a quarter inch across on its back. Eventually that spot disappeared, and later returned. Cause? Your guess is as good as mine.

Snakes of different origin could have slightly different genes causing varying amounts of yellow and white pigment to form. That would give the snakes a slightly different look even if neither has melanin pigment.

Geneticists agreed long ago to give each mutant a unique name, even if they looked alike. In boa constrictors, there are two albinos. The first question asked about an albino boa constrictor is whether it's a Kahl strain albino or Sharp strain albino.

Paul Hollander

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: : Paul, I'm keeping all records and the project is at f2(first recross)but I'm getting frustrated with the time period between generations.LOL. : That's the price you pay for working with snakes instead of bacteria. 8-) : : I know there are at least 2 different "albino" genes as well as "axanthic" and normal but I havent had the tyrosine tested yet--I just describing physical charecteristics and trying to relate them to generalizations already familiar t most on this forum. I understand the point of different loci, but I'm just hypothesizing about a cinario(sp?)where 2 albino genes were on the SAME loci.... and would that lead to variation in particular? I dont think this is the case either, but it occured to me that this may be possible. : Two "albino" genes at the same locus? It's not just possible, it's been found. In the black rat snake, xanthic and "t+ albino" are alleles. See Bern Bechtel's paper in the Journal of Heredity in 1985. : The albino mouse (white fur and pink eyes) has a nonfunctioning tyrosinase enzyme. Albino in the mouse has several alleles (chinchilla, himalayan, several others) that have poorly functioning, but not nonfunctioning, tyrosinase. Mixing and matching can give almost any shade between normal and albino. : : Could you get back to me with your idea of what describes "amelanism" and why/how it can be variable. Sorry, spell check not available. Thanks again,Jeff : Other genes, age, and/or environment might cause some melanin to form in some specimens even if most totally lack melanin. I once saw a leucistic garter that had a black spot a quarter inch across on its back. Eventually that spot disappeared, and later returned. Cause? Your guess is as good as mine. : Snakes of different origin could have slightly different genes causing varying amounts of yellow and white pigment to form. That would give the snakes a slightly different look even if neither has melanin pigment. : Geneticists agreed long ago to give each mutant a unique name, even if they looked alike. In boa constrictors, there are two albinos. The first question asked about an albino boa constrictor is whether it's a Kahl strain albino or Sharp strain albino. : Paul Hollander

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