Color phase by incubation in Green Iguanas:dream or reality?

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Posted by Ig Joe on May 09, 2000 at 15:22:57:

*WARNING*: Not a Dr. Jekill Q'. In this moment I am sane. No voices from inside yet...
This post is also quiet looong, so grab a nice bottle of 'Prosecco' wine and relax, and hopefully enjoy my wacky-but-serious idea!

I may have mentioned this topic before, but after reading more books on incubation and reptile behaviors, I'll give it another shot in a more educated fashion, instead of the "mad scientist" tone.

We all know mammals and reptiles differ by being endothermic and ectothermic respectevly (duh!).

We also know that mammals tend to show lighter colors in cold weather, and darker colors in hot weather. Foxes, rabbits, etc. shed their coats accordingly. Human cultures from Northern Europe and Asia (Russia) are very very pale in skin color (Scandinavians, Russians, and so on).
In Africa, the human race adapted to dark skin pigmentation (Africans, Arabs, and so on). (double duh!)

We know that reptiles, being ectothermic, react the opposite. To absorb heat, they darken in color in cool weather, and brighten up in hot weather to release some. (once again, DUH!)

In some reptile species, particularly geckos (ie: the leopard is the classic example), skin pigmentation can be 'determined' in the second phase of incubation. A 'cooler' incubation temperature yields to darker specimens, while a 'hotter' temp yields to brighter ones.

This makes perfect sense, since the developing embryo genetically adapts its epiderm's pigmentation to absorb/release the heat in the incubator.

If through selective and well-organized captive breeding, a breeder "toys" around with incubation of iguana eggs, do you believe that a/or/multiple color pahase(s) can be produced?

I believe so, if the captive breeding is well processed. Fluker's developed the "Diamond Blue" iguana through selective breeding. In Hawaii, feral iguanas developed white dewlaps and stripes/pathces. Truly beautiful! In different regions of S. America, iguanas differ in color, spike sizes, etc.
It's all in genetics.

It would be AWSOME if one day we can develop an iguana so extraordinary, to envy the very pretty-but-illegal Fijian Iguana!

I hope you enjoyed this piece of mind of mine.
If not, **** my ***! (kidding! lol!)

The end
(...pass the wine.......*hic*!...)

Follow Ups:

Biology 101 Iguanamomma 05/10/00 (0)
What?No reading the riot act?He said he wants to breed iguanas,not adopt!!! BJ 05/10/00 (1)
- Re: Oh Behaaaaave! BabyHerp 05/10/00 (0)
Re: Color phase by incubation in Green Iguanas:dream or reality? Ingo 05/10/00 (0)
Re: Messin w/ mother nature....lolol BabyHerp 05/10/00 (0)

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: *WARNING*: Not a Dr. Jekill Q'. In this moment I am sane. No voices from inside yet... : This post is also quiet looong, so grab a nice bottle of 'Prosecco' wine and relax, and hopefully enjoy my wacky-but-serious idea! : I may have mentioned this topic before, but after reading more books on incubation and reptile behaviors, I'll give it another shot in a more educated fashion, instead of the "mad scientist" tone. : We all know mammals and reptiles differ by being endothermic and ectothermic respectevly (duh!). : We also know that mammals tend to show lighter colors in cold weather, and darker colors in hot weather. Foxes, rabbits, etc. shed their coats accordingly. Human cultures from Northern Europe and Asia (Russia) are very very pale in skin color (Scandinavians, Russians, and so on). : In Africa, the human race adapted to dark skin pigmentation (Africans, Arabs, and so on). (double duh!) : We know that reptiles, being ectothermic, react the opposite. To absorb heat, they darken in color in cool weather, and brighten up in hot weather to release some. (once again, DUH!) : In some reptile species, particularly geckos (ie: the leopard is the classic example), skin pigmentation can be 'determined' in the second phase of incubation. A 'cooler' incubation temperature yields to darker specimens, while a 'hotter' temp yields to brighter ones. : This makes perfect sense, since the developing embryo genetically adapts its epiderm's pigmentation to absorb/release the heat in the incubator. : If through selective and well-organized captive breeding, a breeder "toys" around with incubation of iguana eggs, do you believe that a/or/multiple color pahase(s) can be produced? : I believe so, if the captive breeding is well processed. Fluker's developed the "Diamond Blue" iguana through selective breeding. In Hawaii, feral iguanas developed white dewlaps and stripes/pathces. Truly beautiful! In different regions of S. America, iguanas differ in color, spike sizes, etc. : It's all in genetics. : It would be AWSOME if one day we can develop an iguana so extraordinary, to envy the very pretty-but-illegal Fijian Iguana! : I hope you enjoyed this piece of mind of mine. : If not, **** my ***! (kidding! lol!) : The end : (...pass the wine.......*hic*!...)

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