Leo X AFT doesnt work

[RampantReptiles]

I dont know if this is a silly post but I saw a post about not being able to breed a leopard and AFT together so just thought I would mention this.

Aside from the obvious that the two just wont "copulate" I dont think they are genetically compatible. I remember hearing in science class as a kid that only animals in the same genus could create offspring.
Since Leopard geckos are Eublepharis and AFT are Hemitheconyx, that should be a pretty clear indication that they cant breed. Although I understand that nomenclature is not that great and possibly inaccurate for some species.

 

[MonkeyBean]

I'm not sure if this is the case. For example there are some pretty extreme python hybrids out there. If the genus' Aspidites and Python can hatch offspring (the first being a very primitive python genus, and the second being a relatively advanced one), it's probably more than nomenclature determining the hybridization possibilities or lack there of between different species. There might be some biotic factors preventing AFT and Leos from hybridizing, but I wouldn't be shocked if they could produce offspring and it just hasn't been done yet. I'm not experienced at all enough to make a call though, it's all speculation for me, haha.

Cheers,
-Matt

 

[StatikStepz]

To my knowledge, and from what i have heard, some HAVE successfully bred the 2 together, but IF you actually do get one to hatch, it dies a few days later. Again, this is not my own finding, but what i have heard (on here), so maybe someone that has actually found this out for sure can feel free to elaborate a little further.

 

[supperl]

All ppl I talked with about this told me it won´t work.
I haven´t tested it myself but I also won´t do it cause I only got negative feedback like "Its not pos"

 

[Khrysty]

I thought I remembered reading a year or so ago that the hybrid could be done, but it was infertile. The hatchlings survived but were unable to reproduce

 

[BrilliantEraser]

Yes, the offspring would most likely be completely sterile. I would compare this cross to a common cross in the equine world: horse x donkey = mule. Mules are born full-term, and with no health problems, but they are sterile and thus cannot reproduce. However, there is something called "hybrid vigor" where a hybrid offspring seems to receive the best traits from both parent species. This would certainly be an interesting study for someone to undertake!

 

[RampantReptiles]

Beat me to the punch
Was going to say the horse mule thing...

 

[SFgeckos]

Nomenclature really has nothing to do with it, since "names" are all man made. The ability of different species sperm/egg fertilization to produce viable offspring has to do with the molecular components of the acrosomal enzymes located in the head of the sperm. The acrosome is a large lysosome that contains various hydrolytic enzymes (in humans- hyaluronidase, acrosin etc) that lyse the zona pellucida (membrane around the egg) to allow for sperm penetration. Generally speaking, these acrosomal enzymes are "species specific" but very closely related species may contain the same or similar enzymes to facilitate sperm penetration.

Hope that information helps.

Jon

 

[RampantReptiles]

LOL most of that didnt even sound like english but I understood nomenclature is man made and has nothing to do with if they can actually reproduce or not.
I kinda figured that but I just remembered someone saying that stuff about only animals in the same family could breed and I believed it. No longer will I be duped by silly nomenclature!

I would not personally ever cross a leo and AFT but I know people would. Something about it just seems wrong to me and I cant put my finger on it.

 

[Khrysty]

I almost want to say that if it could be done, it would be the perfect animal for young, inexperienced herpers. They can have the small lizard to learn to care for and play with with no chance of accidentally breeding it before they're entirely ready. I wonder, if they're sterile do they still show sexual behavior? Would the males still fight to the death?

And what sort of environment would it thrive in? Humid or dry?

This is almost worth experimenting with..

 

[Tony C]

Nomenclature really has nothing to do with it, since "names" are all man made. The ability of different species sperm/egg fertilization to produce viable offspring has to do with the molecular components of the acrosomal enzymes located in the head of the sperm. The acrosome is a large lysosome that contains various hydrolytic enzymes (in humans- hyaluronidase, acrosin etc) that lyse the zona pellucida (membrane around the egg) to allow for sperm penetration. Generally speaking, these acrosomal enzymes are "species specific" but very closely related species may contain the same or similar enzymes to facilitate sperm penetration.

Hope that information helps.

Jon

Do you know if there has been any research on this specifically regarding leos and fatties? Another possible explanation that I have seen is a differing number of chromosomes between the two species, but I've never seen any evidence to back it up.