kingsnake.com - reptile and amphibian classifieds, breeders, forums, photos, videos and more

return to main index

  market - home
follow us on facebook follow us on twitter link to us on LinkedIn
Click for ZooMed  
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
Locate a business by name: click to list your business
search the classifieds. buy an account
events by zip code list an event
Search the forums             Search in:
News & Events: kingsnake.com is coming to Tinley NARBC . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake battles a Rattlesnake . . . . . . . . . .  An Educational Roundup? . . . . . . . . . .  The battle for survival for the Ibiza wall lizards . . . . . . . . . .  Bringing back the Horned Lizard . . . . . . . . . .  UGA Study shows pathogens threaten snakes survival in Southern US . . . . . . . . . .  First time Sea Turtle nesting in Florida . . . . . . . . . .  New regulations on Native Species for Wisconsin Keepers . . . . . . . . . .  Heavy Metal Scorpion . . . . . . . . . .  How a python change the course of Attenbourgh's life . . . . . . . . . .  Make good choices . . . . . . . . . .  Burmese found on roadside in Wisconsin raises issues . . . . . . . . . .  Happy Earth Day . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake Merch Store . . . . . . . . . .  Kingsnake returns to Tinley . . . . . . . . . .  kingsnake.com joins Monitor Brains! . . . . . . . . . .  Sneak Peek . . . . . . . . . .  Amphibian gut bacteria showing promise in cancer research . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Meet The Baroness - The world's longest snake . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  Updates? . . . . . . . . . .  Herp Photo of the Day . . . . . . . . . .  The mechanics behind the viper strike . . . . . . . . . .  Snakes on a Train? . . . . . . . . . .  Tracking the animals in the Florida Everglades - Meet the Croc Docs . . . . . . . . . .  Reintroduction attempts give San Francisco Garter a second chance . . . . . . . . . .  Promoting Reptiles is Our Jam Man . . . . . . . . . .  Origins of Chytrid discovered . . . . . . . . . .  Reptile Super Show & LA Pet Fair - July 11-12 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  PACNWRS - Jul. 11-12, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - July 18, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Chicago Herpetological Society Meeting - July 19, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Bay Area Herpetological Society Meeting - July 24, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  DFW Herp Society Meeting - July 25, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Tucson Herpetological Society Meeting - July 27, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Greater Cincinnati Herp Society Meeting - Aug 05, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  PACNWRS - Aug. 15-16, 2026 . . . . . . . . . .  Colorado Herp Society Meeting - Aug 15, 2026 . . . . . . . . . . 

temperature-sensitive mutation? Carins/de Lucia exp on Pol 1


[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Leopard Gecko Forum ]

Posted by SFgeckos on May 08, 2003 at 13:45:46:

In Reply to: Deformities or Mutation???? posted by jeffmedley on May 08, 2003 at 12:38:06:

This may be a little advanced but here goes my thoughts...

(i forgot what year it was) but Carins and de Lucia isolated and studied a pol 1 mutation- they found that mutant cells that grow at normally low temperatures ceased to grow at high temperatures. These are called temperature-sensitive mutations. The proteins produced by TSMs work well at low temperatures but lose their structural integrity at high temperatures. The study was actually done on DNA Pol 1, but i think it can apply to most cells in general.

Basically it shows that even DNA cells that operate normally at low temperatures can be affected and structurally changed at higher temperatures. I believe all cells can be affected (positively or negatively) when there are sudden changes and spikes in temperature, say an increase or decrease. For us humans, a change of 80F to 90F doesn't really mean too much, but for one cell or a small group of cells that is very very drastic. So after 2-3 weeks of incubation, how many cells do u think a "leo" is?? Probaby not more than a few hundred, and what do u think happens when ya crank up the heat???

Just my thoughts and opinions. I think some of the professors on this forum can elaborate a bit more since i don't have a Masters or Phd (yet).

-SFgeckos

:Here's my two cents on the matter. (And it may not even be worth that much.)

:First a little background. I've taught human genetics, zoology, anatomy, and microbiology for the last 8 years. I have a Masters defree in microbiology and education. I know about leopard geckos as much as the next guy who spends way to much time researching on the internet, not the most valid research tool.... :)

:Ok here we go. A mutation is an exchange, deletion or addition of DNA bases, typically caused by chemicals or radiation a.k.a a mutagen. I have never heard of incubation temps causing mutation as they are defined. What temperature can do is affect the development of tissues and cells at the cellular level, not the molecular level. The beginning of any animals gestation is the most important. Most body systems are well developed within the first third of gestation. The rest of the time is simply growing larger.

:Not any knock on Ron Tremper, he did donate a very nice male gecko to my class, god bless the man. But he breeds thousands of geckos and has far more expertise than any of us.

:So what is causing deformities in his incubation method. My theory, as lose as it is... Is that during the first few weeks the geckos body systems are being developed, Circulatory, and nervous first, quickly followed by digestive, respiratory,excretory and reproductive. Human sex is determined by the presense of a Y chromosome, geckos are regulated by temp. The systems are settling in at 80 degree developmental rates, and wham ... you jack the temp up smack dab in the middle of development and the systems are thrown for a loop. They are now developing much quicker. Proteins, enzymes and hormones that were once working to build tissue at 80 degrees are now inneffective at the new higher temps. They shut down , mistakes now occur and deformities ensue. Protein (enzymes) are very temperature dependant. Alter this and there will be problems.

:Its my theory and I'm stickin with it.

:Sorry for the bio lesson.

:Peace

:Med




Follow Ups:




[ Follow Ups ] [ The Leopard Gecko Forum ]
Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You Click to visit Sierra Fish and Pets Click for 65% off Shipping with Reptiles 2 You
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.

Quick Links
Community
Legal & Safety
Support

Register for free ✓ Sign up!

Kingsnake.com ® is a registered trademark © 1997-