Weird Genetic Mutations?

[Reptilelover47]

So, I've talked about my lil guy on here multiple times in the past and have mentioned his weird mutations. He was born with a fluid filled cyst under his arm which needs to be drained regularly, he had some eye problems a while back (which we cleared up), and he has very odd coloring. After talking it over with vets and others (plus I have a genetics background) we decided his coloring is also a mutation since he was supposed to be bright orange and green/blue, but is bright blue with bright red stripes. It's all linked together.

I just noticed a new lil thing that I'm wondering if anyone else has ever seen in their chameleon...

He shed recently and I noticed today that the spikes under his chin have formed a split. Is that normal or should I classify this under his many mutations? lol. I don't mind them at all, he's very unique & very lovable. I'm just curious. He also is has gaps between spikes, but I'd take that to be more typical than a spike split.

Here are some pics... Any input is great and feel free to share your lil guys and girls. I always love to see them! Thanks

 

[Olimpia]

I don't think his coloring is abnormal for an ambilobe at all, it's just one more variety that occurs naturally in the locale, but the spikes are strange!

 

[Reptilelover47]

I don't think his coloring is abnormal for an ambilobe at all, it's just one more variety that occurs naturally in the locale, but the spikes are strange!

Well, that's totally true, but the weird thing is that I'm almost positive that not one other cham from his blood lines have his coloring. It's like if you have two parents with dark brown eyes & their parents have the same, there's no recessive gene. So, if their kid has blue eyes it's not an abnormal color, but the only way it could have happened is due to a simple genetic mutation. I'm not trying to lecture you on genetics I'm just explaining why I think it is one. lol. Plus he definitely has the other mutations so, it would make sense to have more than one weird attribute.

Thanks for the input! Spikes look weird don't they?

 

[Carlton]

So, I've talked about my lil guy on here multiple times in the past and have mentioned his weird mutations. He was born with a fluid filled cyst under his arm which needs to be drained regularly, he had some eye problems a while back (which we cleared up), and he has very odd coloring. After talking it over with vets and others (plus I have a genetics background) we decided his coloring is also a mutation since he was supposed to be bright orange and green/blue, but is bright blue with bright red stripes. It's all linked together.

I just noticed a new lil thing that I'm wondering if anyone else has ever seen in their chameleon...

He shed recently and I noticed today that the spikes under his chin have formed a split. Is that normal or should I classify this under his many mutations? lol. I don't mind them at all, he's very unique & very lovable. I'm just curious. He also is has gaps between spikes, but I'd take that to be more typical than a spike split.

Here are some pics... Any input is great and feel free to share your lil guys and girls. I always love to see them! Thanks

IMHO, I just don't see the health issues as genetic mutations in themselves. Eye problems are very common in captive chams and due to a host of environmental issues. Cysts occur for lots of reasons too, and could have nothing to do with heredity. I also don't think his coloration is necessarily an odd mutation. There is so much individual variation in panther morphs and many bloodlines can't say for certain that a cross didn't sneak in there, I think you'd have to go a lot farther back in his lineage to come to this conclusion.

May I suggest (politely, no disrespect intended at all! ) that because you have a genetics background you may jump a little more quickly to explaining your cham's issues as being genetic rather than other causes that are equally or possibly more likely.

Now if his particular lineage (multi-generations) had the same tendency for cysts, eye problems, or this particular coloration maybe there's something to it. I don't think panther genetics is remotely sophisticated enough that we can tease out what sorts of health issues are inherited and what are simply environmental or an illness caused by a pathogen.

Now the spike split thing could be some sort of inherited trait or an individual mutation certainly. No idea about that. But, as its a structural morphological feature more likely. Again, you'd have to inspect many individuals of his morph to see if there's a trend for it or not.

 

[Reptilelover47]

IMHO, I just don't see the health issues as genetic mutations in themselves. Eye problems are very common in captive chams and due to a host of environmental issues. Cysts occur for lots of reasons too, and could have nothing to do with heredity. I also don't think his coloration is necessarily an odd mutation. There is so much individual variation in panther morphs and many bloodlines can't say for certain that a cross didn't sneak in there, I think you'd have to go a lot farther back in his lineage to come to this conclusion.

May I suggest (politely, no disrespect intended at all! ) that because you have a genetics background you may jump a little more quickly to explaining your cham's issues as being genetic rather than other causes that are equally or possibly more likely.

Now if his particular lineage (multi-generations) had the same tendency for cysts, eye problems, or this particular coloration maybe there's something to it. I don't think panther genetics is remotely sophisticated enough that we can tease out what sorts of health issues are inherited and what are simply environmental or an illness caused by a pathogen.

Now the spike split thing could be some sort of inherited trait or an individual mutation certainly. No idea about that. But, as its a structural morphological feature more likely. Again, you'd have to inspect many individuals of his morph to see if there's a trend for it or not.

That was... very professional. lol. I like your style. Thanks. Yeah you're right about maybe jumping to it, I think biology a lot. lol. But it def. isn't hereditary, just weird. I was just wondering if anyone else out there has seen the spike split. I mean, it's nothing to worry about right? Just a weird morphological thing? It actually scared me at first because at first glance (since it's red between the spikes) I thought he had a cut on his chin. He's had the cyst since I got him at 3 months, assumed to have had it his entire life and it doesn't go away. I spoke to the breeder he's never seen it in any other ones. I like his lil quirks, but I feel like I find a new one every few months. He's about a year and three months old.