Reptile Genetics 

All reptile coloration is derived from (3) possible pigments, Melanin (Black), Xanthinin (Yellow), and Erythrinin (Red). Some animals may be missing one or more of these pigments, or may have more or less of the pigment than normally present. The terminology is made up from a prefix and the name or the pigment involved. Below is a list of the possible descriptions of the different animal coloration’s. 

 

Pigments

Melanin – black

Amelanistic – No black pigment

Hypomelanistic – Less than normal black pigment

Xanthinin – Yellow

Axanthic – No yellow pigment

Hypoxanthic – Less than normal yellow pigment

Erythrinin – Red

Anerythristic – No red pigment     

Hypoerythristic – Less than normal red pigment

Hypererythristic  - More than normal red pigment 

 

Prefixes

A or AN – None

Hyper – More than normal

Hypo – Less than normal 

 

Genetic Terms

An animal carries two copies of every gene. Alternate forms of the gene are called alleles.

Recessive – A recessive trait only manifests itself if both parents carry the trait or dominate gene.

Dominant – Means that the trait will present itself even when the animal carries recessive genes for something else.

Heterozygoes (Het) – Means that the animals carry both the recessive gene and dominant alleles but other wise looks normal.