Update on T+ albino sav.

[KORBIN5895]

Those gloves are pretty stylish.

[StudentoReptile]

Gregg, answer me something. If this monitor is an albino (amelanistic), I would expect the pupils to be pink as it is with most albino reptiles. But they are black, so at first glance, I would say this animal is hypomelanistic and not amelanistic. I admit my understanding of genetics is limited, but would you care to explain?

Mind you, I'm not saying the animal is exceptional; it certainly is. Just curious, is all.

[Pirarucu]

Amelanistic animals can be either T+ or T-, with T- being the more common. T+ animals are not as bright, as the black pigment is not replaced by white, but by purple or lavender colors. For the same reason, the eyes are often not red, certainly not as red as those of a T-.
It is also entirely possible (and in this case probable in my opinion) that this mutation only affects the scales, but not the eyes. Not all mutations will change every part of the animal. For example, leucistic animals are completely white, except for the eyes.

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Gregg, answer me something. If this monitor is an albino (amelanistic), I would expect the pupils to be pink as it is with most albino reptiles. But they are black, so at first glance, I would say this animal is hypomelanistic and not amelanistic. I admit my understanding of genetics is limited, but would you care to explain?

What you are talking about is T- albino. The T stands for Tyrosinase. It is an enzyme that synthesizes melanin. In T- albinos, this enzym is not present. In T+ albinos the enzyme is there but synthesization of melanin is reduced. Many T+ reptiles have normalish eyes and have high copper and lavander tones in the skin.

As you can see in the photos, this sav does not have normal eyes. The eyes are bright red with a yellow ring around them.

T+ albinism is a partial albinism. Hypomelanism is more than likely a form of T+ albinism.

Hope this helps clear up some questions.

[BarelyBreathing]

Originally Posted by Gregg M

Hypomelanism is more than likely a form of T+ albinism.

I've heard this once or twice before. Has there ever been an in depth study of this before?

[Pirarucu]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

I've heard this once or twice before. Has there ever been an in depth study of this before?

Not to my knowledge, but I'm not sure.

[AjaMichelle]

She's gorgeous!

[StudentoReptile]

Thanks for the reply, Gregg. That does clear up some things.

[Gregg M]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

I've heard this once or twice before. Has there ever been an in depth study of this before?

BB, the sad thing is, there is very little in depth studies on reptilian morphs. It is a shame really because I can not think of any other group of animal that has so many different morphs and genetic mutations. In my opinion, reptiles are a gold mine for genetic mutation and morph study.

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Thanks for the reply, Gregg. That does clear up some things.

No problem bro. Glad to explain.

[BarelyBreathing]

Originally Posted by Gregg M

BB, the sad thing is, there is very little in depth studies on reptilian morphs. It is a shame really because I can not think of any other group of animal that has so many different morphs and genetic mutations. In my opinion, reptiles are a gold mine for genetic mutation and morph study.

Unless you have a ball python.

I completely agree with you there.

[DragonsEye]

Originally Posted by BarelyBreathing

She's beautiful. I love the last picture where you can see her teeth.

+1