Photo: Axolotl Colors with Genes

[Boomsloth]

Okay so I've been trying to find a good site that shows axolotl colors as well as the genes they represent for the common and some of the more uncommon variants.
I'll start off with what I have.

GFP Leucistic affected by the recessive leucistic gene and the dominant GFP gene


Let's keep the genes simple:
GFP = F/F
Albino = a/a, where A/- is non albino
Leucistic = d/d, where D/D is dark, D/d is wt
Melanoid = m/m, where M/- is wt
Axanthic = ax/ax, where Ax/- is wt
Copper = ?

These are the basic genes from http://www.axolotl.org/genetics.htm but I think it would benefit all of us if members here (especially the breeders) posted pictures with the possible genotypes for variants like white melanoids, coppers, golden albinos, white albinos etc.

This will help people get a better idea about axolotl genetics and varieties.

 

[Geckogal]

Actually a friend of mine just asked me to break it down for him... This is what I showed him

D- Dark/color .....M- Shiny/iridophores .........A- Not albino/colored .....AX- Not Axanthic
d- white............. m- melanoid .....................a- albino .......................ax- axanthic




DD or Dd -
will always show the dominate. You only need one to hide the recessive

dd -
will only show if both recessives are present.

 

[Geckogal]

There is a member who put some pictures to genetics here-

http://www.caudata.org/forum/f46-be...90258-axolotl-color-genotypes-phenotypes.html




I wish understood how the axanthic trait worked better, and why it hides other traits like iridophores.

Also, I was wondering about the copper axolotls. Since they are also considered a type of recessive albino, how does it affect the genotype?

 

[Boomsloth]

melanophores = Dark brown and black pigment cells
Xanthophores = Yellow and red pigment cells
Iridophores = Shiny iridescence cells

Xanthophores for axolotls are actually a mix between a xanthophore (yellow) and erythrophore (red/orange). Basically its a pigment cell that produces both and the color depends on the ratio of yellow/red.

Albino: No melanophores, has Xanthophores, has iridophores (This gene alone = Golden Albino)
Melanoid: No iridophores, Increased melanophores, decreased xanthophores
Axanthic: No xanthophores, No iridophores, has melanophores (not increased so not as dark as melanoids)
Leucistic: Prevents pigment from migrating resulting in non-pigmented individuals (some pigment can migrate depending on gene variation i.e. speckled)

Leucistic + albino = White albino
Leucistic + melanoid = leucistic with black eyes with no ring of iridophores
Leucistic + axanthic = leucistic with black eyes with no ring of iridophores
Albino + melanoid = Albino with no iridophores, contains some xanthophores
Albino + axanthic = almost white albino, yellows with age due to riboflavins

I'm taking this from another thread where I posted it.
Think of a wildtype having a mixture of all types of pigment cells, wildtypes can vary in color so that just means they produce more or less of different pigments. I can't find much about copper genetics but I am speculating its recessive and may be from a reduction in melanophores, an increase in the xanthophores ability to produce red/orange. This is just because its basically a darker orange color. A way to test this might be getting an albino copper mix and seeing if the xanthophores are really affected.

 

[Geckogal]

Interesting. So do you think it affects the AX xanthophore gene, possible it co-dominates? I have never seen a copper personally. Do they typically lack in iridophores?


I also have a question about one of my own axolotls, maybe you will able to help me with my mystery.

I have a GFP albino. The issue is that it is either a melanoid albino or an axanthic albino. But due to the GFP yellowish coloration I can not tell which without breeding. Besides looking at the eyes, are there any other distinguishing traits to look for to be be able to tell which he is?

 

[Boomsloth]

Interesting. So do you think it affects the AX xanthophore gene, possible it co-dominates? I have never seen a copper personally. Do they typically lack in iridophores?


I also have a question about one of my own axolotls, maybe you will able to help me with my mystery.

I have a GFP albino. The issue is that it is either a melanoid albino or an axanthic albino. But due to the GFP yellowish coloration I can not tell which without breeding. Besides looking at the eyes, are there any other distinguishing traits to look for to be be able to tell which he is?

I've never seen a copper personally either and there isn't any literature on their genes yet.
As for your axolotl, it is almost impossible to tell without doing some type of cross breeding test.
An albino axanthic will have no melanophores, no iridophores, and no xanthophores. But your axolotl's gfp gene will cause a yellow tint
An albino melanoid will have no melanophores, no iridophores, and some xanthophores that can tint it yellow too
Its a tough thing to figure out sorry :/

 

[Geckogal]

I did find something on tyrosinase. It is referencing snakes, but I am pretty sure the gene works similarly in amphibians.