Explanation: Deformities Using Tremper Incubation Method

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Posted by froggied on May 09, 2003 at 02:08:04:

In Reply to: Explanation: Deformities Using Tremper Incubation Method posted by LeosAnonymous on May 08, 2003 at 10:22:26:

I'm a Microbiology, biochemistry, genetics, chemistry major (also undergraduate researcher specializing in reporductive biology).

I have some insight that might prove helpful? Again, this is only from my education, and I don't claim to be an expert. If need be, I will do some more digging into the subject. I'm new to this forum (I don't actually own any leopards, just doing research before getting my group in).

Many organisms that tolerate a gradient of temps have what is called a heat shock gene. It has been discovered that many reptiles, mammals, some microbes, and birds all have this gene. This gene switches on when many other genes have to switch off due to being denatured by the temperature. An example of this is found in E. coli which has a heat shot protien. This allows this specific mutant of E. coli's DNA to survive BOILING! Once the dead bacterium are exposed to nonmutant E.coli, they can recover the DNA through transformation and they become the "mutant" E.coli without any gentic malformities found normal denatured DNA.

Having said that, there is also evidence to show that many organisms (although this is fairly unsubstantiated), particularly humans, use heat to determine amount of pigmentation will be found. Hence the theory that humans came from africa (allowing for blacks), and traveling north (allowing for whites). These morphs in humans, gives some evidence that MAY heat causes melination. (THIS PARAGRAPH ISN"T TO BE TAKEN AS A RACIST REMARK)

So I would venture a guess that geckos might be more brightly colored to help reflect some of that nasty desert sun during times of hot. (as you recalled he mentioned on his webpage, that if exposed to cold temps, the lizard body color also decreased) This would seem to coincide with this theory, since, as temperatures in thier geological region decreases, the need for bright coloration for reflective purpose is no longer needed, and ought to be traded for darker colors. The only problem with this idea is that leopards are mostly nocturnal.

Hehe Let me know if you think I am incorrect, I haven't read the other posts, and I won't have time to do so until tuesday. Until then Thanks. David. (I will read the responces to my post however).

Follow Ups:

good thoughts, but... The Lizard Lady 05/09/03 (12)
- Correction on that... WaxWormFan 05/09/03 (11)
  - ??? The Lizard Lady 05/09/03 (10)
    - ??? hotback66 05/09/03 (3)
      - Completely phony, sorry... WaxWormFan 05/09/03 (2)
        
        Completely phony, sorry... hotback66 05/09/03 (1)
        
        Well WaxWormFan 05/09/03 (0)
    - Old KS thread.. WaxWormFan 05/09/03 (5)
      - Err, oops, linked to the wrong one!!! Here it is... WaxWormFan 05/09/03 (4)
        
        I remember seeing that post... The Lizard Lady 05/09/03 (3)
        
        Well we should follow up with Ray Hine then... WaxWormFan 05/09/03 (2)
        
        WOW! The Lizard Lady 05/11/03 (0)
        
        I remember seeing that picture on Ray Hine's site........... bradley 05/10/03 (0)
About Deformities and mutations froggied 05/09/03 (0)