Creating Melanoids

[Possum63]

Hi

Here in NZ, melanoids don't exist. Is it possible for me to create them? If so how please?

Thanks.

 

[STCxB]

In theory, it is pretty simple. In practice, it is probably incredibly difficult. You would have to selectively breed wild types to be darker and darker over many generations. You would probably also have to inbreed them and cross them out to other color morphs to select the individuals that actually carry the genes you're looking for and remove the ones you don't want from your gene pool. It would be quite an undertaking and its possible you might create ones that use different genes to create the black coloration.

 

[auntiejude]

Sorry STCxB - you've got it wrong I'm afraid.

'Melanoid' is a distinct recessive genetic trait, you cannot create one unless the genes are there in the first place. An animal needs to receive one gene from each parent to express the melanoid traits. If the genes aren't there in the parents the offspring wil never be melanoid.

The melanoid genes mean that an animal can't produce iridophores and produce fewer xanthaphores, making it grey or black.

 

[STCxB]

Ah, that's interesting. I assumed it was something that was selected for by breeding darker wild types to each other. In theory you could create a "black" or very dark axolotl that isn't "melanoid" by using the approach I described though?

 

[auntiejude]

In theory you could create a "black" or very dark axolotl that isn't "melanoid" by using the approach I described though?

Yes. Black and gold wildtypes are loveley - mottled black with gold iridophores.