Color Terms Defined
Allele: a version of a particular gene
Locus: specific physical location of a gene in the genome
Genotype: An individual's genetic makeup of alleles at a particular locus
Phenotype: An individual's observable trait, such as color
Carrier: An individual that possesses and is capable of passing on a heritable recessive gene but does not express the trait themselves(in other words, is not phenotypically the recessive color). Two carriers can produce an offspring with the recessive trait.
Heterozygote: An individual that has inherited 2 different versions of a gene(one from each parent)
Homozygote: An individual that has inherited 2 of the same version of a gene(one from each parent)
Recessive: An allele that, in relation to another allele at the same locus, will be masked by the dominant allele if the individual is a heterozygote. An individual must have 2 copies of the recessive allele(a homozygote) in order to express it.
Dominant: An allele that, in relation to another allele at the same locus, will be expressed in both a homozygous & heterozygous state. In other words, the trait will be expressed if the individual has 2 copies of the dominant allele or 1 copy of the dominant allele and 1 of the recessive allele.
Co-Dominant: Traits that, in relation to another trait, can both be expressed at the same time. Neither is recessive or dominant.
Locus: specific physical location of a gene in the genome
Genotype: An individual's genetic makeup of alleles at a particular locus
Phenotype: An individual's observable trait, such as color
Carrier: An individual that possesses and is capable of passing on a heritable recessive gene but does not express the trait themselves(in other words, is not phenotypically the recessive color). Two carriers can produce an offspring with the recessive trait.
Heterozygote: An individual that has inherited 2 different versions of a gene(one from each parent)
Homozygote: An individual that has inherited 2 of the same version of a gene(one from each parent)
Recessive: An allele that, in relation to another allele at the same locus, will be masked by the dominant allele if the individual is a heterozygote. An individual must have 2 copies of the recessive allele(a homozygote) in order to express it.
Dominant: An allele that, in relation to another allele at the same locus, will be expressed in both a homozygous & heterozygous state. In other words, the trait will be expressed if the individual has 2 copies of the dominant allele or 1 copy of the dominant allele and 1 of the recessive allele.
Co-Dominant: Traits that, in relation to another trait, can both be expressed at the same time. Neither is recessive or dominant.
DOMINANT Traits in Sugar Gliders
A Dominant trait is one that, in relationship to another trait, will be expressed if the glider possesses at least one copy. In Sugar Gliders, White Face & Mosaic are dominant traits over standard/classic grey.
CO-DOMINANT Traits in Sugar Gliders
A Co-Dominant Trait is one that, in relationship to another trait, is neither dominant nor recessive. Both traits are able to be expressed. White-face and Mosaic fall into this category as well because you can have White-Faced Mosaics.
Other Color Combinations/Interactions
White-face: This trait can be expressed alongside Mosaic, Cremino, Platinum, & White Tail Tip Gliders. Leucistic & Albino Sugar Gliders can also be White-face underneath, which would be proven out through breeding with a classic/non-white faced sugar glider.
Mosaic: This trait can be expressed alongside Cremino, Platinum, & White-faced Gliders. (Please note that Silver(often called Platinum-colored) Mosaics do not possess the genes for platinum, while True Platinum Mosaics do). Leucistic & Albino Sugar Gliders can also be Mosaic underneath, which would be proven out through breeding with a classic/non-mosaic sugar glider. White mosaics are distinguished from leucistics by looking for black whiskers, sporadic hairs, feet/toes, and/or ears.
Cremino: This trait can be expressed alongside Platinum, Mosaic, White-faced, & White Tail Tip Gliders. A glider that is a Leucistic & Cremino is called a Ruby Leu - these gliders have the white coat of the Leucistic and the garnet eyes of the Cremino.
Platinum: This trait can be expressed alongside Cremino, Mosaic, White-faced, & White Tail Tip Sugar Gliders. Albino Sugar Gliders can also be Platinum underneath. In general, Leucistic gliders are not considered to be able to be platinum carriers.
Leucistic: As leucistic glider can mask other colors/variations including Mosaic, Cremino, White-face, etc.. In general, Leucistic gliders are not considered to be able to be platinum carriers.
Albino: Like leucistic glider, the white color of the albino can mask other colors/variations including Mosaic, Cremino, White-face, Platinum, etc
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