This page covers basic genetic terms used when discussing morphs.
General[]
Alleles[]
Alleles are matching genes that code for the same thing, but this does not mean that they have to be entirely identical, as fx. the gene for brown and blue eyes are alleles as they both code for eye color, even though they result in different phenotypes.
Phenotype[]
Phenotype is the observable traits of a species.
Recessive[]
A recessive gene is a gene that does not get expressed unless both alleles carry the gene.
Dominant[]
A dominant gene is a gene that does get expressed even if only one allele carries the gene.
Incomplete Dominant (Single/Super)[]
An incomplete dominant gene means that the phenotype that the gene codes for does not get fully expressed unless both alleles carry the gene. Meaning when only one allele codes for said phenotype it results in a morph that is "blended" between what the two genes would look like fully expressed.
"Single" means only one allele codes for the phenotype.
"Super" means both alleles code for the phenotype.
T- and T+ Albino[]
T- and T+ are respectively short terms for tyrosinase negative and tyrosinase positive. Tyrosinase is used when producing melanin, meaning that T- albinos cannot produce any melanin or melanin related pigments. Resulting in a snake completely lack any type of dark pigment. T+ albinos also cannot produce melanin but can still produce melanin related pigments. This also means that there is much more variance in what a T+ albino can look like, making it a broader category than T- albino. A common trait among T+ albinos are a lighter color.
Morph Types[]
Single-gene[]
Single-gene morphs are singular morphs in which the phenotype is affected by a singular gene.
Polygenic[]
Polygenic morphs are singular morphs in which the phenotype is affected by multiple genes. Not to be confused with Combo-gene morphs, which are explained below. The term polygenic is often used interchangeably with line bred as polygenic morphs often are line bred, but they are separate things.
Combo-gene[]
Combo-gene morphs are combinations of different single-gene and polygene morphs. Most are just referred to by the morphs it combines fx. an Albino Conda morph, but some are given nicknames fx. Candy morph (Toffee Belly, Superconda).
Breeding[]
Line Breeding[]
Line breeding occurs when a new morph (or rare morph) is found and the owned wishes to strengthen that morph. In order to do so a mild form of inbreeding is used. This is done so that the offspring has a reliable genetics pool with the desired morph included. This is often done when a new morph is discoverd.
Morphs that are / were Line Bred are: Extreme Red, Diablo, Raging Red, Inferno, Watermelon, Green line, Green Phase, Lemon Ghost, Blonde.