justindh1
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- Pilot Grove, Missouri
I have been thinking about the definition of hypomelanistic and how it is used with-in some of the various morphs. The common definition with in leopard geckos is "Hypomelanistic or Hypo refers to Leopard Geckos which exhibit reduced melanin or black coloring. To be considered a Hypo rather than a High Yellow a leopard gecko must have 10 or fewer spots on its body." Another definition found which I tend to prefer is "Hypo (Science: prefix) a prefix signifying a less quantity, deficient, below normal or a low state or degree, of that denoted by the word with which it is joined, or position under or beneath."
What all this leads to is why is the definition different with in some of the morphs? To be considered a hypo then it supposedly has to have less then 10 spots on the body but for a Mack Snow to be considers a hypo then it just has to have a reduction of spots. The "10 spot rule" doesn't come into play. A normal leopard gecko and a mack snow really tend to have similar qualities when it comes to spots but the term hypo doesn't work the same with each. I feel that the 10 spot rule limits the actual definition of hypomelanistic. Am I wrong for thinking this?
What all this leads to is why is the definition different with in some of the morphs? To be considered a hypo then it supposedly has to have less then 10 spots on the body but for a Mack Snow to be considers a hypo then it just has to have a reduction of spots. The "10 spot rule" doesn't come into play. A normal leopard gecko and a mack snow really tend to have similar qualities when it comes to spots but the term hypo doesn't work the same with each. I feel that the 10 spot rule limits the actual definition of hypomelanistic. Am I wrong for thinking this?
