MYSTERY HATCHLING X

[fuzzylogix]

absolutely eclipse, but im still stumped, lol. tail seems to be getting darker

 

[Kristi23]

absolutely eclipse, but im still stumped, lol. tail seems to be getting darker

I agree. I think the color will be really nice.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I honestly think you should have this one tested for the presence or absence of tyrosinaise. The world has been waiting for the first T- leopard gecko!

 

[Tommy13b]

Very intresting hatchling eric, keep us updated

 

[ajveachster]

I honestly think you should have this one tested for the presence or absence of tyrosinaise. The world has been waiting for the first T- leopard gecko!

Wouldn't at least some need to be present in order to produce the dark pigmentation in both the skin and eyes? Since there is reduced color in the rest of the body, could it just be this specific animal has a low production rate? Of course I don't know what levels are considered "normal" in a leopard gecko if any. I just know that it is found in both plants and animals. Please share any additional info you have.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I understand what you're thinking, Ang. However, there is a difference between pigment and melanin. Tyrosinaise is a catalyst that affects the way pigment converts into melanin. It is speculated that the amel fat-tails are a T- albino because they have melanin in their eyes but not their skin. Ocular albinism is where there is melanin in the skin, but NOT the eyes.

There is a GREAT article on a study performed on the skin of the three strains of leopard gecko albinos written by Tony Gamble and Jody Aherns, et al. and published by the GGA. I cannot post it here on this forum (it costs money for the GGA), but I can email the PDF file to you if you're interested!

 

[richardrojas]

There is a GREAT article on a study performed on the skin of the three strains of leopard gecko albinos written by Tony Gamble and Jody Aherns, et al. and published by the GGA. I cannot post it here on this forum (it costs money for the GGA), but I can email the PDF file to you if you're interested!

Marcia I think it is free now, if not people wouldn't see it for free at this website. http://www.tc.umn.edu/~gambl007/publications/Gamble_etal_2006_Tyrosinase.pdf If is not free then I will ask the moderator to remove my post but it is always good to get informed.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Great, that's the one! Thanks, Richard. Your link will save me a bunch of email

 

[richardrojas]

You are welcome Marcia!!!!!

 

[Enigmatic_Reptiles]

Very interesting hatch. Looking even better with the most recent update. Be sure to keep us updated on it.

 

[justindh1]

This gecko does look very unique looking for sure. My opinion is that this gecko isn't a t-albino because the gecko does have some hints of black in the tail. In order to be a t-albino doesn't it have to lack any black? I think that the gecko will be a really bright Afghan Eclipse with some intense orange. I may be completely wrong though.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Assuming the gecko IS an albino, I'm not sure the dark pigment in the gecko's tail is black, like melanin. It really reminds me a lot of the very dark Trempers we used to see that were incubated at very low temperatures. Those dark RAPTORs had eyes that were so dark red they appeared to be black until a penlight was shined to see behind the iris. Amel AFT's have very dark brown areas at the tip of their tails sometimes, too.

What the puzzle is, is that it was incubated at a very high temperature. David Crews and staff did several very interesting studies at his labs on the affects of incubation temps and pigment development. When I find it, I'll post.

 

[richardrojas]

Here you go Marcia!!!! Don't worry looking for it http://www.utexas.edu/research/crewslab/pdfs/Pfaff, 2009.pdf , look for chapter 23.2.1.2 Organizing influence of incubation
temperature in the leopard gecko

 

[richardrojas]

I delete the link since was the wrong one!!!!! sorry

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

This is a great paper, but the ones I am referring to were studies by D. Crews and B. Gutzke back in the late 80's, and then repeated about 8 years later by D. Crews, B. Viets, B. Tousignant, et al. performed exclusively on E. macularius. I am not able to find it without paying and/or subscribing to it. I may be wrong, but it seems to me that the data showed an interesting pattern of darker pigment the lower the incubation temps were, then decreased the higher the temps. If I recall, there was a point over 90 degrees F that the level of pigment increased again.

*Off-topic side note: the last studies also debunked the 'hot female' theory from the earlier studies. As it turned out, females incubated a lower temperatures started ovulating earlier than females from higher incubation temperatures.

 

[Adinar]

Now that is one interesting hatchling. I'd be hanging on to that one and not letting it go anywhere. Regardless of what it is, looks like you might've come across something interesting.

Keep us updated and good luck on it's development!

 

[eric]

Thank you Marcia and Ric for the links and scientific insight. I'll continue to keep you all updated on how he transforms.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Eric, this is such an exciting little gecko! We truly look forward to updates.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

I'm going with a paradox raptor.

 

[Retribution Reptiles]

Or possibly a Chimaera