engleski

Leopard gecko morphs - the genetic background

Leopard geckos (Eublepharis macularis) are considered one of the best reptile pet animals for beginners thanks to their docility, ease of care, and husbandry. Furthermore, their visual appearance, which makes them attractive for breeding, is caused by genetic combinations manifested through different colors and patterns named morphs. Various features are considered leopard gecko morphs, like variations in size, coloring, pattern and, physical features. They are controlled by genes or selective breeding and habitat temperature created in the decades of breeding in captivity. Some morphs take several generations to produce, depending on the gene combinations and whether various inherited desirable phenotypes are recessive or dominant. For example, some dominant phenotype examples are White and Yellows and Enigmas, and co-dominant examples are Mack Snows and Giants. Recessive phenotypes include the various Albinos, Blizzard, Patternless, and Eclipse. When creating new morphs, ethics has become the most crucial issue. Thus, the pure leopard gecko individuals today are individuals with variously heterozygous backgrounds. Several years are needed to identify genes for a specific morph, and irresponsible breeding can negatively affect the genetic pool. Good breeding practice includes test breeding, recording of phenotypes and mutations, and gene linkage of the main breeding males and founding females. Most importantly, it is crucial to consider the pedigree records in the breeding of leopard gecko carriers of morphs and crosses. Since the colors and patterns in leopard geckos are predictable based on genetics, expertise and experience are required in their breeding.

leopard gecko, morphs, physical features, inheritance

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