LeopardShade
Spotted Shadow
- Messages
- 1,001
- Location
- Western Montana
I have no idea if this is the place to post this, but it's a simple question regarding two genetic mutations. What differentiates leucism from albinism in animals?
From what I've researched so far, leucism is a genetic condition that reduces all types of pigment, including melanin, and albinism reduces melanistic pigment. I've always thought a leucistic animal was always entirely white with black or blue eyes (correct me if I'm wrong), but I've seen albinos be all white as well. Basically every albino mammal and bird I've seen (haven't seen them all of course, so I could be wrong) expresses albinism the same way I've seen leucism be expressed in those animals, a solid white phenotype. Therefore, even knowing that the two conditions aren't identical, I find it hard to see any difference in how the genetic mutation affects phenotypes.
Kind of funny how, in the way that I see it, that apparently is different with various herps (leopard geckos, ball pythons) where the albino phenotype is different than the leucistic one. For example, albino ball pythons express white-and-yellow body coloration, while leucistic specimens express solid white coloration. I also wonder why that is... could albinism and leucism have a different effect on mammals/birds/etc. than it does with herps?
Sorry if I make no sense, I'm a rambling mess, I know... any help would be appreciated for me to grasp these two very interesting genetic conditions.
From what I've researched so far, leucism is a genetic condition that reduces all types of pigment, including melanin, and albinism reduces melanistic pigment. I've always thought a leucistic animal was always entirely white with black or blue eyes (correct me if I'm wrong), but I've seen albinos be all white as well. Basically every albino mammal and bird I've seen (haven't seen them all of course, so I could be wrong) expresses albinism the same way I've seen leucism be expressed in those animals, a solid white phenotype. Therefore, even knowing that the two conditions aren't identical, I find it hard to see any difference in how the genetic mutation affects phenotypes.
Kind of funny how, in the way that I see it, that apparently is different with various herps (leopard geckos, ball pythons) where the albino phenotype is different than the leucistic one. For example, albino ball pythons express white-and-yellow body coloration, while leucistic specimens express solid white coloration. I also wonder why that is... could albinism and leucism have a different effect on mammals/birds/etc. than it does with herps?
Sorry if I make no sense, I'm a rambling mess, I know... any help would be appreciated for me to grasp these two very interesting genetic conditions.
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