Morphs – Page 18 – SMR Archive

Ultra/Ultramel-2013

Ultramel (no aka)

Most Commonly Used Name: Ultramel
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Codominant with Amel, but recessive to Wild-type

Morph Type: Hybrid Codominant

Eye Color: Dark Red pupil & body ground colored iris

Note: Ultramel is the visual heterozygote of the the mutation, Ultra.

INTERSPECIES HYBRID
The founder (discoverer) of the Ultra mutation states that he originally paired a gray rat snake with a corn snake, in the discovery of this mutation. By the time most of us were made aware of the HYBRID origins of Ultra types (originally named Ultra Hypos), we had already bred it into many other corn snake mutations. It was therefore collectively decided that in so much as it would be virtually impossible to track down (and eliminate) each and every snake possessing a form of the Ultra gene (surely thousands of individuals in the collections of hundreds of breeders and keepers), the mutation would be treated like other pure corns. In so much as it generally did not alter the corn snake pattern, some breeders could be unaware they had it, while some could avoid mentioning it, if they did know. Those of you out there who are boycotting HYBRID corns are advised to avoid acquisition of suspicious-looking corns with the word ULTRA in the morph description. Likewise, purists who admirably endeavor to promote only the genetically purest of corns are urged to question corns that have suspiciously abnormal features that are historically regarded as hybrid markers. Not that all such markers are proof of alien origins. Especially because of the difficulty and expense of formulating a DNA base line for all North American colubrid snake species, and in the absence of expensive DNA testing to identify the authenticity of pure corns, without obvious visual and/or genetic distinctions, identification of legitimately pure (or impure) corns is difficult at this time, if not completely impossible.

Ultramel corns are what we call the Visual Het version of the Ultra Mutation. Virtually all heterozygotesof mutations that are recessive to Wild-type are indiscernable, when compared to their non-Het siblings. At SMR, we seldom offer the homozygous version of the Ultra mutation because there is a subtle and often indistinguishable difference between the Homo (Ultra) and Het (Ultramel) versions. Genetically speaking, Ultras are the powerhouse genetic version of this mutation in so much as when you breed one to any Amel corn snake, 100% of the progeny will be Ultramels. Breeding Ultramels to Amels results in approximately 50% Ultramels and approximately 50% Amels. Generally, Ultramels are more colorful than Ultras, but there are exceptions in both directions. Breeding an Ultra type to any non-Amel corn will result in NO Ultra types, since Ultra is recessive to Wild-type.

Other than appearance, the primary (and inherent) value of Ultra Type Corns (Ultras and Ultramels and their color and pattern compounds) is their mode of genetic inheritance. Since they are co-dominant to Amelanistics, pairing any Ultra type to ANY Amel corn (or Het thereof) will render some Ultra types in the F¹ (first generation) of out-crossing to non-Ultra type corns. The results of pairing an Ultra-type with a non-Amel corn (or Het thereof) will render Mendelian results that parallel recessively-inherited mutations; no Ultra-types will result, and all progeny will be Het for Ultra when bred to non-Amels.

This is one of the few corn snake morphs that you should not purchase based on a pictorial example. This is because of the extreme diversity of appearance within the mutation/morph. I could easily make this statement about most corn snake mutants, but the reason I do so here is because the real value of this mutation is its’ mode of inheritance. Few corn snake mutations are inherited in dominant fashion, so the primary reason most snake lovers purchase Ultras or Ultramels is because when they breed one to any snake with a form of classic amelanism, approximately 50%of the F¹ broods will be Ultra-type mutants (or approximately 25% – in the case of breeding the an Ultramel to a corn that is het for Amel and 100% if you breed an Ultra to an Amel type). I think you will be amply satisfied with any phenotype you receive from an Ultra type, but should you choose to buy one based on the sample picture on any web site, you may be disappointed if yours does not mature to be exactly like the one that inticed you to purchase.

Both Ultras and Ultramels render some of the most extreme examples of hypomelanism in corns, but a hypo-type phenotype is the genetic and visual function we recognize. Some people call them Ultra or Ultramel Hypos, but I prefer to leave off the “hypo” since the chromosomal location of this mutation is the same as Amel (Ultra and Amel reside on the same locus of the chromosome) and therefore has nothing genetically to do with the Hypo gene locus. Also, the hobby vernacular for the double mutant that is homozygous for both Hypo A and Ultramel would be Ultramel Hypo. Upon hearing/reading these two words together, you would surely presume that the snake Ultramel Hypo is a double mutant. Hence, those two words together are incorrect and confusing — when describing the single mutant genotypes, Ultramel or Ultra. When you breed an Ultra type to any corn that is not Amel (or Het Amel), this mutation genetically behaves like a recessive. Example: Pairing an Ultra with an Amel results in 100% Ultramel progeny. Pairing an Ultramel with an Amel results in progeny consisting of approximately 50% Amels and approximately 50% Ultramels. Pairing an Ultra with a wild-type (non-Amel) corn results in 100% normals (wild type) that are all het for Ultra.

What to expect:

Hatchlings often look like extreme Hypo mutants, but some are nearly as brightly colored as Amel corns (lacking so much overall black). Of course, the main distinction between the two is the pink/red eye pupil in Amels and the wine-colored pupil in Ultramels. There is great variation in the degree of red in both eye pupil and pattern coloration.

SURPLUS section of this web site). We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form. Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity.While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph. We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Striped Tessera 2014

Striped Tessera (no aka)

Most Commonly Used Name: Striped Tessera
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Dominant
Morph Type: Both Dominant & Recessive Gene Mutations

Eye Color: Black pupil with ground zone-colored iris

FIRST, what makes Tesseras so expensive? Other than appearance, the primary (and inherent) value of Tessera-type Corns is their mode of inheritance. Since they are dominant to wild type, pairing any Tessera Type that is a Visual Het to ANY corn (other than a Tessera-type) will render 50% Tessera mutants in the F¹ (first) out-crossed generation. The results of pairing an Tessera homozygote with ANY corn snake (other than a Tessera-type) will render 100% Tessera mutants.

Striped Tesseras are at least homozygotes of the recessively-inherited STRIPE mutation and the dominantly-inherited TESSERA mutation. At this time, there appears to be no direct mutational relationship between those two mutations (when in genetic union), except for the seemingly collateral features that distinguish virtually all Striped Tesseras from simple Striped mutants. The features that are demonstrated in most Striped Tesseras that distinguish them from simple Striped corn mutants are:

Contiguity of pattern. Striped Tesseras have remarkably continuous striping and if it does break – unlike simple mutant Striped corns – it resumes in the same form – without fading to broken striping and eventually no striped pattern at all, as we see in ALL simple mutant Striped corns.

Stripe that extends to the tail and beyond. I have never seen a simple mutant Striped corn that had a stripe that continued to the tail tip. I’ve seen nearly full striping in some lines of Striped Motleys, but never in Striped mutants. When one corn possesses both the STRIPE and the TESSERA mutations, most of these corns have striping that continues to the tip of the tail, regardless of how many stripe breaks there are between the neck and tail tip. When the striped pattern of Striped corn mutants begins to break up and/or fade, it does not resume in recognizable form. My reference to “tail pattern” is the dorsal location that is the polar opposite of the cloaca (polar as opposing points on the same vertical plane).

Variable stripe width. It is not common, but some of the Striped Tesseras we’ve produced have varying stripe width, which is something seldom observed on simple Striped mutants. Generally speaking, the striping of Striped Tesseras widens as it extends tail-ward. Some have intermittent and abrupt changes of width from the neck to the tail, but except for gradual widening of stripe, some have remarkably clean stripes. The question that can’t help but be asked is, “In STRIPED TESSERAS, is the striped pattern the result of the Striped mutation, the striped version of the Motley mutation; Striped Motley. OR the striped version of the Tessera mutation?” I don’t know the answer at this time.

Note the comparison of a Striped Amel (Het Caramel) and a Striped Tessera in this image.

stvsstte4792my11

What to expect:

Striped Tesseras are still fairly rare. So far, the only feature that is atypical – compared to typical corn snake mutations – is that many of the non-mutant siblings of Tessera types seem to have enhanced pattern and color features. So far, I don’t recognize any traditional markers that are unique to hybrid colubrids, since the collateral sibling features to which I refer are – so far – in the realm of improving existing corn snake features (i.e. some non-Tesseras have better, brighter, cleaner, and/or more consistent colors and markings). I’m intrigued by the collateral nature of some of the non-Tessera siblings co-incidentally having improved characteristics without changing standard features of the species (i.e. body shape, belly checkering, head pattern, shape and number of markings).

As hatchlings, Striped Tesseras generally look like Striped corns, except for the precision of striping and retention of black pigment seen in most Striped Tesseras . Other than the obviously better quality of striping in Striped Tesseras, the primary difference between the closest corn snake phenotype (Striped Motley) and Striped Tesseras is that of the dominant genetic inheritance of the Tessera. Naturally, the Stripe and Motley mutations (which are alleles of the Motley locus) are inherited in recessive fashion. Just like all corns, Striped Tesseras gain improved color saturation as they mature.

History of the Tessera Mutation:

In 2007, Graham Criglow asked KJ Lodrigue to order a 1.2 trio of Striped Motleys that were advertised on one of the popular Online Classified sites – since Graham’s job prevented him from personally receiving them at that time. When they arrived, KJ discovered that they constituted a 2.1 reverse trio (two males and one female) instead of the advertised 1.2 trio (one male and two females). KJ and Kasi recommended that Graham gift the extra male to me, and that’s what Graham did. Profound thanks to Graham, KJ, and Kasi for that gracious and fortuitous gift. In 2008, both the Lodrigues and I independently bred our males (Graham’s and mine) to novel (unrelated) corns. I produced about 24 TESSERAS (so named by the Lodrigues for the tessellated lateral markings) from over 50 fertile eggs, but since the Lodrigues were in the middle of a career move to another State, they were less fortunate, producing just four non-mutant Okeetee-looking corns. My Tesseras were produced by the pairing of the male Tessera to three novel female corns (two F¹ Locality Okeetees from Chip Bridges Rhett Butler Line and one Okeetee-ish female, Het for Stripe and Amel). Imagine my surprise in seeing what we thought were nearly flawless Striped Motleys from three different females, only one of which was Het for a recessive pattern mutation? After the first brood of 50% Tesseras hatched from the female that was het for Stripe and Amel, except for the perfection of pattern, I was not thinking new dominant mutation, but when both wild-type Okeetees produced the same results, it was obvious that a new mutation was discovered.

Upon receiving the reverse trio from the seller, we all commented on the mutual peculiarity of the phenotypes. Most appeared to be the most perfectly Striped Motleys ever seen – in so much as their dorsal stripes were nearly contiguous from neck to tail tip (something never before seen in any corn snake pattern mutant) – but that was hardly possible if the admission of the breeder were true – that they were products of pairing a Striped corn with an Okeetee corn. How could these descendants of a Striped corn bred to an Okeetee be Motley types, instead of Striped? It is still unclear if those 2.1 Tesseras were F¹s (first familial generation) or F²s (the originator of this line is now out of the hobby and difficult to reach – for clarification). If these three Tesseras are F¹s, my deduction is that the striped corn he used in the original pairing was actually Striped AND Tessera. Even if those three were F²s, the likelihood of the mutant patriarch being a Striped Tessera is strong.

In the 100+ Tessera mutants produced by me as of Fall, 2010, I’m seeing the following features:

The most obvious advantage of having Tesseras in your breeding inventory (aside from their inherent beauty) is that because the mutation is dominantly inherited, 50% of every brood of corns from them will be Tessera mutants. With most other corn snake mutations, one must raise all the Het F¹ progeny, and won’t receive any mutants until F² reproduction (a task that can take four to six years). In the course of adding Tessera to the myriad current patterns and colors of corns, an entirely new market is now in the making.

Predominantly contiguous dorsal striping is the most unique feature of most Tesseras. Even when the stripe is broken, it resumes immediately thereafter (unlike Striped and Motley mutants whose dorsal striping never resumes with any degree of renewal). Roughly 1/3 of all that have been produced so far have no stripe breaks. Another 1/3 or so have two to four stripe breaks, and the other 1/3 can have five to 20+ stripe breaks, but those breaks are merely interruptions of the stripe. Not unlike very good Striped Motleys, many Tesseras have an interruption of stripe at the girdle (anatomical location – polar to the cloaca), but unlike Striped and Motley mutants, the dorsal stripe almost always continues to the tail tip. Thus far, fully striped Tesseras have been produced from parents with some-to-many dorsal stripe breaks. Hence, broken-striped Tesseras can produce fully striped striped Tesseras, even though their stripe is broken. Incidentally, none of the original 2.1 original Tesseras in this line have complete dorsal striping, but many of their progeny and grand progeny do.

More than 2/3 of the Tesseras produced by me so far have atypically large amounts of black pigment in their non-ventral pattern — a feature roughly 1% of all Striped and Motley mutants have demonstrated to date. Less than 1/4 of all Tesseras produced by me have little to no black in their markings, and these are mostly Striped Tesseras.

The belly patterns of most Tesseras that are not also homozygous for other pattern mutations (i.e. Stripe) are all over the charts, but so far, all the bellies on Striped Tesseras have had no pattern at all. Apparently, the STRIPE mutation trumps what normally occurs on the bellies of Tessera mutants, thereby not allowing belly pattern.

Having grafted another entire branch on the already sprawling corn snake family tree, we think the Tessera mutation will offer genetic flexibility never before possible; mainly in the realm of making Stripe and Motley types without losing the black (white in albinos). Imagine all the current colors of corns infused with the Tessera, Striped Tessera, and Motley Tessera patterns?

Important Note:
These images are not renderings of the actual animals being offered, (except for uniquely offered snakes found in the SURPLUS section of this web site). We do not provide pictures of individual hatchling snakes for sale, nor do we recommend that you ever choose a new pet based on an image of its neonatal form. Corns change so dramatically from hatchling to adult, they will NEVER have the same colors or contrasts throughout maturity. While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively clones of each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in each animal being similar but not identical to others of its morph. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph. We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will exchange your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Motley 2014

Motley (no aka)

Most Commonly Used Name: Motley
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Single Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

The first description of this corn snake pattern mutation was published by the late Dr. H. Bernard Bechtel in the 1980s. His breeding trials demonstrated the heritability of this mutation to be simple recessive. The distinguishing feature of those is belly checkering. Good Motleys have an orderly and contiguous pattern of spots down the dorsum that represent spaces in what appears to be a continuous, wide stripe of color running from the neck tail-ward. The size, shape, location, organization, and number of circular pattern interruptions on the back define the grade of individuals, but until recently, the one pattern distinction we could rely upon was that of having no checkers on their belly. Lately, we’re seeing Motleys with some black checkering, but it’s random and sparse. I suspect that one DAY we’ll see Motleys with quite a bit of belly checkering. In fact, certain genetic compounds of Motley have somewhat reliable belly markings (i.e. Sunglow Motley and Lavender Motley).

What to expect:

Thankfully, there is little change (if any) in the markings from hatchling to adult, but one characteristic impossible not to notice is that of diffusion of pattern and color throughout maturity. This essentially does change the pattern appearance, and it certainly does have interesting impacts on color compounds of Motley. Not unlike the “Diffused” mutation (aka: Bloodred) that diffuses color and pattern, Motleys virtually always enhance any other color or pattern mutation with which they have genetic union. Do not expect contiguous and orderly dorsal patterning, as Motleys with the best patterns are still in a minority in this morph. BTW, they are rare, but some non-mutant corns have dorsal pattern that is very similar to Motleys, but still a dependable distinguishing feature is the belly. If a Motley-looking corn has a busily checkered belly, it should not be a Motley mutant.

Sunglow Motley 2014AAA

Sunglow Motley (aka: Sun Motley)

Most Commonly Used Name: Sunglow Motley
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive + Selective Variant

Morph Type: Selective Variant of Recessive Compound (Amel + Motley)

Eye Color: RED pupil

Many generations were spent in refining the beauty of the Sunglow Motley, but when we first introduced this mutation compound back in the 1990s, we didn’t realize what made Sun Motleys so much more colorful than all other Amel Motleys in the hobby. At first, we believed that they owed their deeply colorful distinction to only two mutations; Amel and Motley and that they have been selectively-bred toward the goal of deeply saturated red coloration and classically orderly Motley pattern. For years, we were helpless to explain why the colors in this line were so deeply saturated and why they were redder than other genetic lines. In 2009, one of our friends that wondered the same thing–and conducted breeding trials to determine what caused the intense colors–came to the conclusion that SMR Sunglow Motleys possess the added mutation of what is sometimes referred to as Red Mask or Red Factor. It is thought to be inherited in dominant fashion.

If an animal receives just one DNA copy of mutation that is dominant to wild-type, it usually demonstrates a degree of that mutation; in this case, enhanced overall red/orange coloration that is much more pronounced than Amel Motleys without one (or both) copies of the Red Mask mutation. These are called Visual Hets and that’s what 95% of all the Sun Motleys we’ve sold over the past two decades have been. Then, in the second successive familial generation, (F²) some of the progeny have essentially twice the color saturation as the others. Those are homozygotes (sometimes referred to as the SUPER FORM of the mutation) and we’ve only recently recognized those. Therefore, whether the SMR Sun Motley you acquire is a Visual Het or a Super Form, expect deeply red/orange coloration with few (if any) white scales showing.

Some people mistakenly think that if a Motley has orderly and consistent circles down the back (as most Sun Motleys do), it’s a Hurricane Motley. Below is a demonstration of distinction between a Hurricane Amel Motley and a Sunglow Motley.

hurricane112e-300

What to expect:

Sunglow Motley are one of a handful of corn snake morphs that change their appearance very little from hatchling to adult. Expect neonate Sunglow Motleys to be intensely colored, and though the color transition from neonate to adult is fractionally that of other mutations, some saturation of color will occur through maturation.

Hurricane Anery Motley 2014

Hurricane Anery Motley (no aka)

Most Commonly Used Name: Hurricane Anery Motley
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive Plus polygenetic pattern trait, Hurricane
Morph Type: Compound (Anery & Motley plus Hurricane pattern variation)

Eye Color: Black pupil

This compound morph results from combining the color mutation Anery with the pattern mutation Motley but also with a twist. Through selective-breeding, the hurricane pattern trait changes an otherwise ordinary Anery Motley into a Motley with noticeable and thick margins around the dorsal circles of the Motley pattern. Colors can range from dull gray to silver with black to jet black markings. The nearly perfect Motley circles on the back can run down the back from the neck to the half-way point, but in rare specimens they run nearly to the tail. The name “Hurricane” tags this Motley variant because the concentric borders of the dorsal circles of the pattern (where ground color insets the high degree of darker pattern) resemble the meteorological sign for hurricane storms. The hurricane markings are not the result of a gene mutation, but from selective breeding that promotes the concentric and thick borders of the dorsal circles between pattern zones. Adults are generally more colorful than hatchlings, but relative to the transformation of most corns from hatchling to adult, any Anery Motley will change very little throughout maturity. One of the genetic functions of Motley is to reduce or eliminate melanin pattern zones of black, making classic Anery Motleys show NO black circle boundaries, but Hurricane pattern variants seem to ignore this genetic trait of the classic Motley.

hurricane112e-300

This image demonstrates the distinctino between a classic Anery Motley and a Hurricane Anery Motley variant. In some specimens, it appears as though all the pattern zones of an Anery Motley (darkest color) are reduced to a concentric black border of the circles of ground color on the dorsum.

What to expect:

Anery Motleys (classic or Hurricane variants) are one of the rare exceptions among corns in so much as their appearance from neonate to adult changes very little. Expect mostly gray snakes with dark pattern margins that change very little in color intensity from hatchling to adult. Some have only a few of the classic Motley dorsal circles (often resembling a chain configuration) while some sport a long and contiguous “chain” pattern nearly all the way to the tail. Never expect to see such dorsal circles ON the tail itself. Patterns are often less distinct and colors are sometimes slighted softened in Motley mutants – compared to non-Motleys.

Ghost Lavender 2013

MID-JULY, 2013 ANTICIPATED AVAILABILITY

Ghost Lavender or Lavender Ghost (aka: Hypo Moonstone)

Most Commonly Used Name: Lavender Ghost

Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive

Type: Triple Mutation Compound (Lavender+ Anery + Hypo)

Eye Color: Black or RED pupil

Combining the three recessive gene mutations; Anery, Hypo, and Motley result in a beautiful compound most commonly referred to as the the Lavender Ghost or Ghost Lavender.

What to expect:

Adding Hypo to the Anery Lavender (aka: Moonstone) mutation compound results in an extremely pale snake. Hatchlings often look similar to snow corns, but have darker eyes (either red or black) and faint ashen color is usually noted in the markings, the ground color zone, or both. Some have dark eye pupils, but most have reddish pupils they inherit from their Lavender ancestry. We don’t yet know why some Lavender mutants have reddish pupils, while others have black pupils or pupils between black and Red.

Hypo Lavender 2013

MID-JULY, 2013 ANTICIPATED AVAILABILITY

Hypo Lavender (no aka)
Most Commonly Used Name: Hypo Lavender
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Double Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Red pupil & body ground colored iris (see details below about some having Black pupils)

There are several distinct features among Lavender mutants of any variety. One baffling characteristic common in the Lavender mutation is that most of them have eye pupils that are some shade of pink – virtually identical to most albino (Amel) corn snakes. Nobody yet knows why but some have black pupils. Another feature in most Lavender corns is that virtually all of them hatch smaller in size than any other corn snake mutation. What they lack in hatchling size they make up for in appetite. Not so much that they are ravenous feeders (they actually ARE), but collectively relative to all other corn snake mutations, Lavenders statistically favor pinky mice more than any other corns we produce. Our adult Lavender types are essentially the same size as other corn snake morphs, even though they start out so tiny.

Relative to the visual distinction between most any other corn snake mutation and its’ Hypo counterpart, Lavenders and Hypo Lavenders are usually very difficult to separate. Unless family genetics definitively identify whether a Lavender is a Hypo homozygote or not, most breeders default to pricing them the same. Hence, if Hypo is a genetic potentiality in SMR Lavenders and we are not 100% certain of it, we sell them as Lavenders and we will let you know if they could also be Hypos.

What to expect:

Most hatchlings are some shade of pale lavender or gray, and as detailed above, they are the tiniest hatchlings in the corn snake hobby. Some have peach tones between markings, while some have pale and are lacking in contrast between markings and ground color zones. Compared to most single mutant Lavenders, Hypo Lavenders tend to have the extra peach coloration. Through maturity, most will keep their basic neonate coloration, but unlike most corns whose colors become more saturated with age, Hypo Lavenders almost always lost color saturation through maturity. It is difficult to discern between basic lavenders and Hypo Lavenders, since there is a distinct lack of melanin in both. Most have red pupils, but for genetic reasons we don’t yet understand, some have black pupils. Hence, eye color does not aid in that genetic determination. Unless Lavenders are bi-colored (having a peach or coral ground color between dorsal markings), they are highly variable in color. Expect everything from pale gray to lavender.

General Note:
While most of the snakes we produce will mature to resemble the featured adult image(s) on our web site, unlike manufactured products that are respectively identical to each other, the nature of polygenic variation results in no two specimens being exactly the same. The snake we select for you may not mature to be identical to the pictured examples, but will be chosen based on our experience of observing which neonates will mature to properly represent their respective morph. We take this responsibility very seriously, and therefore publish the guarantee that we will replace your SMR snake if it does not mature to be like our advertised examples.

Morph & Glossary Hyperlinks:

allele Amber Amel Motley Amel Anery Motley Anery Banded Blizzard Bloodred Blue Motley Butter Butter Motley Candy Cane Caramel Caramel Motley carotenoid Charcoal chromosome codominant Coral Snow Creamsicle Diffused Dilute dominant dorsal epidermis F¹ Fire Fluorescent genotype Ghost Ghost Motley Gold Dust gene genotype Granite guarantee herpetoculture heterozygous High White homozygous hybrid hyper hypomelanistic hypo Hypo A Hypo Bloodred Hypo Lavender Kastanie Key Corn Lavender Lavender Motley lateral locus marker melanin Miami Phase morph Motley mutation neonate Okeetee Okeetee Locality Okeetee Creamsicle Opal Opal Motley out-cross Pastel Motley Pewter Phantom phenotype polygenic progeny Reverse Okeetee recessive Rosy Bloodred Rosy Rat selective variation SMR Snow Snow Motley Strawberry Stripe Striped Amel January 17, 2021March 10, 2022Morphs

Pied-sided Bloodred – high2013

MID-JULY, 2013 ANTICIPATED AVAILABILITY

Pied-sided Bloodred (aka: p/s bloodreds)

High White Expression
Note: Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be incorrectly but synonymously used in the hobby
Most Commonly used Name: Pied-sided Bloodred
Mode of Genetic Inheritance:Selective Variation + Recessive
Morph Type:Single recessive mutation & selective variation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

Go to History for more details about the DIFFUSED / BLOODRED base mutation of this compound morph.

In 1997, we acquired a Bloodred female from an unknown corn snake breeder that had a few lateral patches ofwhite. We bred her to one or two males over the next six years, but never reproduced the white patches, nor did we hold back any of her sons to breed back to her. In 2003, she was bred to a male Bloodred that has considerably more white on his sides, but no white was demonstrated in any of the F¹ progeny. Upon breeding two pairs of the F¹babies together, approximately 50% of the F²s demonstrated various degrees of white on their sides. Also, when breeding one of the F¹males back to the SMR original female, 50% of those progeny also had various degrees of lateral white patches. This demonstrated that the SMR P/S Bloodreds were not alleles of the original male Bloodred gene that had similar random lateral white patches.

At this time – in my opinion – insufficient data has been gathered to determine that P/S Bloodreds owe their atypical white lateral and facial markings to a gene mutation. It is remotely possible that polygenetic traits are responsible for the atypical patches of white on the face and sides, based on confusing phenotypes. While evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions points to the likelihood of a gene mutation, that cannot be definitely proclaimed at this time.

It is sometimes difficult to determine the inheritance of a trait or mutation when expression of the atypical feature is highly variable – as is the case with SMR P/S Bloodreds. In other words, are the Bloodred siblings of P/S Bloodreds that lack lateral patches of white not P/S Bloodreds OR are they P/S Bloodred mutants that are at the lowest end of the 0-to-10 scale for white expression? When proving the mode of inheritance via evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions in a single brood of snakes, visual expression is crucial. Hence, if the expression of white in this morph can be so extremely variable, when citing the ratio of visual mutants compared to visual non mutants, the very description of inheritance can be in question. I therefore honestly don’t know if P/S Bloodreds owe their distinctive pied-sided white appearance to a recessive mutation OR polygenic trait modifications. Breeding trials are constantly being evaluated. The snag in this determination is the fact that there are many siblings of the P/S Bloodreds that lack white, but have the remarkably red sides that are devoid of markings (a virtually distinct collateral trait of SMR P/S Bloodreds). This particular trait is not foreign to the base mutation, Bloodred, but in P/S Bloodred phenotypes, expression of this shocking red trait is definitely exaggerated, compared to non P/S Bloodreds in the hobby. Hence, the question again, “are these non P/S Bloodred siblings of those with white, P/S bloods that are exhibiting no white OR is there an associative phenotype that exaggerates the red sides, even if they don’t exhibit lateral white?”. Some have suggested that the lack of color in places (i.e. white patches) is an extreme expression of the genetic elimination of melanin/markings. That perhaps the genetic erradication of markings – when expressed in its’ extreme – may eliminate not only the melanin, but the other chromatophore as well?

Aside from the random lateral white feature that is obvious in most members of this morph – compared to standard Bloodreds – is the extreme diffusion – even if they don’t demonstrate any of the randomly distributed white patches on the sides. On most – even in the absence of lateral white patches – there is an obvious line of demarcation between the dorsal and lateral pattern fields – just above the half-way point on the sides (dorso–laterally). This stark break line between dorsal and lateral markings also begs questions about the lateral white being a mutation OR variable expression of polygenetics.

What to expect:

As neonates, P/S Bloodred corns are often heavily patterned (sides are generally faded or lacking typical lateral markings). Some exhibit black (or partially black) scales bordering some of the pattern blotches, and most of them have head patterns that are notably unlike those of typical corns. Like most SMR Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds diffuse dramatically through maturity, thereby rendering adults that are nearly devoid of head markings, side markings, (any visible dorsal markings will be very faint). There will be NO belly checkering, but ventral coloration can be all red, all white, or red and white (no black). Many of the early Bloodred corns in the early 1990s were overly inbred and therefore suffered poor fertility (not to mention – the progeny of many of the first generations were stubbornly lizard lovers, refusing to eat pinky mice). Thankfully, through out-crossing in our projects to improve or change colors and patterns, like virtually all Bloodreds, P/S Bloodreds do not rank high in the realms of sterility or reluctance to eat rodents. In fact, there are some seasons in which Bloodreds are among the best feeders of our corn snake neonates.

The amount and random distribution of white that will be on High White Expression members of this morph are difficult to quantify. As more are produced, the percentage of white on the three classes of this morph (Low white, Medium white, and High white) will be possible to grade. Virtually all P/S Bloodreds randomly demonstrate the shocking white blotches only on the lower sides of their bodies – predominantly in the first half of their bodies. Some will have one (or a few) white scales (or partially white scales) on their faces. It is still rare for a SMR P/S Bloodred to have white on the sides that is disjunct to the belly white (not touching the belly color field).

Diffused 2014

Diffused (aka: bloodred – see details below)

Note: Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be used synonymously
Most Commonly mis-used Name: Bloodred See details below
Mode of Genetic Inheritance: Recessive
Morph Type: Single Recessive Mutation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

If you expected to see beautifully diffused corns with saturated red/rust/mahogany colors, click here ^_____> Bloodred Corn Snaketo see the enhanced version of this color mutation.

A few years ago, due to confusion regarding the heritability of the Bloodred’s base mutation (namely that the namesake snakes were not red and/or diffused), the base mutation name was changed away from Bloodred – to Diffused. The mechanics of this gene mutation barely diffuse the F¹ homozygotesthrough maturity (if at all), so do not expect Diffused corns to look like Bloodreds. It is currently believed that Bloodred corns are the product of enhancing the base mutation via polygenetic trait modification (selective breeding) to render a red and almost pattern-less (highly diffused) corn snake. That is not the opinion of this author, but in the absence of empirical evidence to the contrary, the best hobby and market interests are not served by published opposition to popular opinion. In other words, I’m not in favor of changing the morph name away from the original Bloodred since the new name Diffused is equally incorrect. Without polygenetic modification, Diffused corns are not diffused.

Brief history on Diffused mutants VS Bloodred mutants:

Initially, the corn snake gene mutation, Diffusion (formerly called Bloodred) was described as being recessively inherited, but many of the F¹ generational heterozygotes exhibited some of the obvious features of the gene mutation homozygotes. It is extremely rare for simple recessive F¹ heterozygotes to exhibit ANY features of their recessively inherited genetic mutation. For example, F¹ heterozygous Amel corn snakes have no markers that demonstrate a hint of their simple recessive mutation, Amel . The paradoxical partial-exhibition of the Diffusion mutation in the heterozygotes resulted in the Diffused mutation being re-described as codominant – (codom for short) in heritable function, but was tagged with the descriptor, variable. At that time, variable codom seemed an accurate and satisfactory genetic description for the radical color and pattern diversity among members of this mutation, but far too many genetic anomalies persisted. Identification of the inheritance of this mutation is once again considered simple recessive, but the Bloodred corn that most of us identify with toDAY is virtually always the aggregate of traits resulting from the Diffused gene mutation PLUS polygenetic traits promoted by selectively breeding toward the highest expressions of pattern reduction, diffusion, and red color saturation.

What to expect:
As neonates, Diffused corns are often heavily patterned, most of them exhibiting black (or partially black) scales bordering some of the pattern blotches, and most of them have some degree of black belly checkering (something I have NEVER seen on good Bloodreds). Head patterns are highly variable, but exactly like wild-type corns.

Some Diffused corns may exhibit slight diffusion throughout maturation, but unlike their prestigious BLOODRED cousins, every Diffused adult I’ve seen displayed prominent markings (head, body, and belly). Many of the early Diffused corns over ten years ago were overly inbred and therefore suffered poor fertility (not to mention – the progeny of many of the first generations were stubbornly lizard lovers – refusing to eat pinky mice). Thankfully, through out-crossing in our projects to improve or change colors and patterns, Diffused and Bloodred corns no longer rank high in either of those categories; low ferility or reluctance to eat rodents. In fact, there are some seasons in which Diffused and Bloodred corns are among the best feeding of our corn snake neonates.

Pied-sided Bloodred – med2013

MID~JULY, 2013 ANTICIPATED AVAILABILITY

Pied-sided Bloodred (aka: p/s bloodreds)

Medium White Expression
Note: Expect DIFFUSED and BLOODRED to be incorrectly but synonymously used in the hobby
Most Commonly used Name: Pied-sided Bloodred
Mode of Genetic Inheritance:Selective Variation + Recessive
Morph Type:Single recessive mutation & selective variation

Eye Color: Black pupil & body ground colored iris

Go to History for more details about the DIFFUSED / BLOODRED base mutation of this compound morph.

At this time, this author suspects that P/S Bloodreds owe their atypical white lateral and facial markings to polygenetic traits versus simple recessive mutation. It is sometimes difficult to determine the inheritance of a trait or mutation when expression of the atypical feature is highly variable. In other words, are the Bloodred siblings of P/S Bloodreds not P/S Bloodreds OR are they P/S Bloodred mutants that are at the lowest end of the 0-to-10 scale for white expression? When proving the mode of inheritance via evaluation of Mendelian Phenotype Proportions in a single brood of snakes, visual expression is crucial. Hence, if the expression of white in this morph can be so extremely variable, when citing the ratio of visual mutants compared to visual non mutants, the very description of inheritance can be in doubt. I therefore honestly don’t know if P/S Bloodreds owe their distinctive pied-sided white appearance to a recessive mutation OR polygenic trait modifications.

Aside from the random lateral white feature that is obvious in most members of this morph – compared to standard Bloodreds – is the extreme diffusion – even if they don’t demonstrate any of the randomly distributed white patches on the sides. On most – even in the absence of lateral white patches – there is an obvious line of demarcation between the dorsal and lateral pattern fields – just above the half-way point on the sides (dorso–laterally). This stark break line between dorsal and lateral markings also begs questions about the lateral white being a mutation OR variable expression of polygenetics.

What to expect:

The amount and random distribution of white that will be on Medium White Expression members of this morph are difficult to quantify. As more are produced, the percentage of white on the three classes of this morph (Low white, Medium white, and High white) will be possible to grade. Virtually all P/S Bloodreds randomly demonstrate the shocking white blotches only on the lower sides of their bodies – predominantly in the first half of their bodies. Some will have one (or a few) white scales (or partially white scales) on their faces. It is still rare for a SMR P/S Bloodred to have white on the sides that is disjunct to the belly white (not touching the belly color field).