A Snake by Any Other Shade is Still a Snake
Boasting over three thousand different genus species across fifteen families, snakes represent a section of the Reptilia class. They are best known for their long, limbless body covered in scales, often sporting unique patterns and colorations 13. These colors are determined by pigment created by three types of chromatophores: melanocytes, xanthophores, and iridophores 7. When the pattern or color differs from the wild type allele, a morph is created, often through a loss-of-function mutation that affects protein formation. In ball pythons, morph alleles follow simple Mendelian inheritance: dominant, recessive, co-dominant, or sex affected 12. As mutations can be followed from generation to generation, unique and rare products are desired by breeder, though some morphs contain predictable genetic health issues.
BIOL 310, Genetics
Paul Allee
Goodrich 109
2 – 2:30 PM