GliderCENTRAL

Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors

Posted By: Anonymous

Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/26/07 04:34 AM

My mom swears I should be a genetisist, the way that I am constantly looking for the genetics side of everything. I wonder if other people here also have researcher's minds.

I am most interested in genetics of the colors of sugar gliders. I know that most people breed for colors or particular traits. Given how many people are actually planned breeders on GC, I was wondering if an open genetics topic might be of interest to some here on GC.

Some questions just to get this going could be:

1) Are there any recognized form variables (such as in humans BB means brown eyes from both parents, where BB would be the variable)? And, if not, could we, in concensus, create them?

2) Which of the color strains seem to react strongest to outcrossing(breeding back to standard greys for a generation) as well as which react weakest to outcrossing?

3) Which color lines react better or worse to being a secondary color trait(such as breeders who breed for both platinum and leucistic in the same glider, where platinum is prominent and leucistic is the color line which that glider could drop)?


If anyone is interested in this, please remember not to bash anyone else's posts, be pleasant and if you can, charming(LOL), and hopefully post some more questions so that we get a chance in on the genetics side of gliders, not just the researchers! (and think of the fun! grin )
Posted By: pheonix

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/26/07 04:52 AM

Question:
Are there any recognized form variables (such as in humans BB means brown eyes from both parents, where BB would be the variable)? And, if not, could we, in consensus, create them?

From what I can tell colour traits in gliders in not a simple trait on a single gene. In which case a punnet square (i don't think that's the right word. it's where parents Aa and Aa can have children of AA, Aa, aA and aa. Where A is dominant and a is recessive trait.) Which happens when the trait is decided by a single gene.

Colours seem to be expressed on multiple genes and aren't fully dominant or recessive. Hence why WF and others can skip a generation.

As for creating them, more statistics would be needed. Detailed lineages of colour traits. In an ideal world blood samples could be taken and tests run in order to find out which genes the traits exist on. But that would take a lot of time and extensive funding. The old fashion way could at least give us more of an idea.

As for your other two questions. I'm at a loss, for I am not a breeder and do not know much on colour statistics. Though I am very interested in finding out. If we could take a survey of everyone on gc about their colour glider's lineage. Our collaborative knowledge may be able to answer more questions
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/26/07 05:21 AM

I'm not asking for myself, silly! Yes, and the punnet square would be more appropriate. For those unused to or just need a refresher on punnet squares, please use this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punnett_square for an explanation of it.

Since glider color traits are not expressed on a single gene, maybe I (and others, of course) should actually BE researchers :rueful grin: .

I also agree that polled lineage questions would be a great idea, and it would give a detailed look(since we're over 6500 strong with lots of gliders!) at glider genes, possibly similar to the death database (HINT to someone who knows how to work a database better than I do).

Okay, off for now. Any other offerings??? (come on, you know you want to...)
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/27/07 06:44 AM

Mydnight.. this is actually my goal! I'm currently finishing my Zoology degree and will be persuing a masters and PhD in genetics with glider genetics as my research subject. I'm still very much learning here.. but certain traits are linked to a single gene with simple dominance patterns.. such as leucistic and albino. WF, WT, mosaic, ringtail, etc are still much unknown to most though. There aren't enough of them out there yet (esp that aren't sterile) of colors such as the mosaic and ringtail to have these types of studies conducted with any validity. There is a HUGE genotype research facility in place for horses... I'm wondering why the exact same technology couldn't be put in place for our little fuzzbutts? Cost I'm sure is one reason.. but that will come.. we should talk! :-) I'm interested in finding others just as interested in thier genetics as I.. hoping to eventually get the largest color breeders involved too.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/27/07 06:49 AM

Oh that's very exciting Tanya. I thought about getting a zoology degree at one point- then wavered on becoming an exotics vet...settled for vet tech for several years smile but genetics is very interesting to me as well. i have been looking at lineages and reading up as much as I can about it. it's somewhat exciting...it's like learning to predict the outcome of a slot machine in a casino.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/27/07 07:02 AM

JR, that's awesome! I've had tech experience as well, and my mother is a tech..

Originally Posted By: JR
it's like learning to predict the outcome of a slot machine in a casino.


Exactly!
Posted By: pheonix

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/28/07 03:19 PM

Mydnight,

I figured since the topic was up, I'd write stuff and hopefully it would get a response, which it has.

Anyways, why not become a researcher? You don't need 4 years behind you in order to do research about these little guys. Unfortunatly I'm probably not much better than you at working a database on here, so hopefully someone else can help out. But I can help analyze the data and I am sure there are other people on here just as curious about glider's blueprints as we are. The more we know the better we can take care of them.

The reason why Horse genetics are so well known is because people had an interest in them and breading specific traits. And all it takes for us to learn more about gliders is to study them.

KrazyKritter - that's awesome that you're researching them for your thesis. Let us know if you need help and what your findings end up being. Good Luck!
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/28/07 05:16 PM

there are a few data bases out there but nobody uses them religiously and the common names throws everything for a loop ...we need to do something like the AKC where they have a distinguishing id like a "formal name" or a registration number
Posted By: ValkyrieMome

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/28/07 05:33 PM

Elizabeth - I COMPLETELY agree!

One of the ways that works in the AKC is that registered puppies often incorporate the name of the breeding kennel. (Actually, I know that is almost always done with the British Kennel Club.) They are assigned a litter and puppy number. Then, the name is frequently "dirived" from the parantage. My BKC Weimaraner was "Boxbury's General Sam Picadilly". Boxbury was the Kennel. General was his sire - all the puppies had "General" in their name. Sam was his unique name assigned by the breeder. Picadilly was the name we gave him. Of course, we called him Dilly for all 17 years of his amazing life!

So-if glider "formal" names were more identifying, it would REALLY help in the beginnings of a lineage, tracing genetics, etc! And then there would have to be a "governing body" formed - to keep track of the breeders, their offspring, etc. Having a "registered" glider could become the thing to do! For one thing - this would SERIOUSLY reduce the number of mill breeders. It hasn't eliminated the mill breeding of puppies, because it is very difficult to pull someone's AKC liscense. But, if the glider community were the one making these rules - well, it could be a determination of a good breeder vs a mill breeder!

Also, I think I've read where WFB, although one of the most recently developed color variations, is the most common and easily reproduced because it *IS* single gene.
Posted By: petsugargliders

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/28/07 05:37 PM

Quote:
AKC where they have a distinguishing id like a "formal name" or a registration number


I run the PSG database, and have for almost 3 years. We are now almost up to 1000 sugar gliders in our database!!

Each sugar glider is IDed by breeder and given a unique number. Unfortunately, I do run it alone, and it does take me a few weeks to get new entries in the "searchable" portion.
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/28/07 10:23 PM

haha i was just going to give them that web site
Posted By: Anonymous

Re: Genetics of Sugar Glider Colors - 05/30/07 06:36 AM

Yay!!! First off-
Krazy--Thank you, I believe you have just decided my fate in life!!!! Someone (besides me) is going into glider genetics!! WOOT!!
Pheonix--I have only (just) now decided to go into genetics, now hopefully to get the funding!!!! (when I'm done grin )
JR--I agree to a t about the slot machine :giggle:
VMOME--How I avidly read your posts!!!
Petsugar--Thank you! I was unaware of the PSG db, but it is awesome! I even found my babies on it!! Great job!!
Jadenbug--How great minds think alike!!

Now to sign up for school!! UGGGGHHHH, I thought I was done with that!!!
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