Albinism

GeckoStud

GeckoStud

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What's the difference between Mammalian Albinism and Reptilian? I'm getting a few tremper albinos for my school project soon. When my teacher saw them he was like "Those aren't albinos they're yellow and brown and they're eyes aren't red." I know they're albinos but I really didn't have a rebuttal. What is defined as albinism in reptiles or more directly our little leo friends?
 
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Jodi L Aherns

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The 3 strains of albino leos (Tremper,Rainwater,Bell) are all tyrosinase positive.So they can still produce dark pigment brown,purple,etc.The GGA next issue or two will have a paper that Tony Gamble and I did,a few years back.
 
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Intense Herpetoculture

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Mammals are different from herps in the the way the express the albino gene because they pigment is developed in seperate ways. Mammals have one type of pigment producing cells called melanophores. Herps has three set of pigment producing cells called melanophores, xanthophores, and iridophores. Albinism only affects the production of melanin. So in mammals the animals would be all white if it is considered a T- albino. Red heads are an excellent example of T+ albino. These are only very general examples of albinos, many different types exist in mammals. The same T- albino in herps still display other colores because only the production of melanin in the melanophores is inhibited, while the xanthophores and iridophores continue to produce pigment. There are some wonderful books out there you may want to look into for research on this issue. One is a book by Bechtel H. Bernard, called "REPTILE AND AMPHIBIAN VARIANTS: Colors, Patterns, and Scales."
 
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Intense Herpetoculture

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Likely, yes, it does. Evil redheads.

Golden Gate Geckos said:
Good info, Justyn!

Does this mean I have a type of albinism?
Click to expand...
 
GeckoStud

GeckoStud

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Actually now that I think about it, redheads being a strain of albino isn't too odd. We all generally have more sensitive skin and burn like its out job, just like albinos. We lack the melanin right?
 
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Mel&Keith

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According to the very interresting article that Marcia added a link to, we fall into this catagory-

"The most common type of albinism is Oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2) (Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) 203200), which is caused by alterations of the P-gene. People with OCA2 generally have more pigment, and better vision than those with OCA1, but cannot tan like some with OCA1b. A little pigment can develop in freckles or moles. People with OCA2 usually have fair skin but not as white as OCA1, and light to golden or reddish blonde hair, and usually blue eyes. Affected people of African descent usually have a different phenotype (appearance): Yellow hair, rather white skin and blue, gray or hazel eyes."

I guess I can't be too mad at those kids that used to tease me about being an albino, turns out they were right, lol.
 
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Nastynotch

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I got a kid in my chem class that doesnt tan at all. hes got 'white' hair. not blonde. and a extremely light blue eyes. Id almost say they were light grey.
to top it off the kid is well of 6 feet tall and has better than perfect vision.

if hes not albino i dont know what is.
 
GeckoStud

GeckoStud

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Wish I had perfect vision, glasses are annoying and I don't like the idea of poking my eye for contacts LOL. But it is intersting so I am an albino lol. Although my red hair is not light and I seiously did think it was brown when I was young. And I have brown eyes, so I guess I'm really and oddball lol.
 
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