THE ANGELFISH LOCUS

Carol’s Conundrum -

Where did the zebra gene come from?

Carol started an extremely interesting thread on The World Angelfish Forum called – Okay, I got one for your genetic Gurus under the Angelfish X - Files

The discussion spawned what typically is the thinking on the Forum of – “What may be” and NOT  the “What could not be” that we have seen so many times elsewhere.

 

All of the members of the forum should tip their hats off to Carol for noticing the difference and the innovative and knowledgable thinking that Enrique, Pterophyllum and Ken are showing us.

The link is http://angelfishkisses.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2499

 

It was based on some inconsistencies that Carol saw in her tanks and questioned whether it was possible to have offspring that weren’t blushing where both parents were blushing genetically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So the first thing we need to be absolutely certain of is that the adults in the photos are definitely the parents of the youngsters!

 

 

Pterophyllum went on to suggest some possible explanations “Quote”

 

 

1. That the male was not genetically a blusher, but appeared to be as a result of one of the following...
a. A mutation in the stripeless gene that he was carrying, which causes S/Z or S/+ to have the same phenotypic appearance of true blusher.
b. The presence of an as yet unknown modifier gene or genes which cause S/Z and/or S/+ to express as S/S.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. That there are in fact two different blushing genes, located at two different loci, and only one of them is an allele of zebra. - Genes moving location on the same chromosome, getting duplicated, or even switch to an entirely different chromosome is not unheard of.

3. One of the parents might be a Chimera, where an animal is made up of two or more distinct cell lines. This is more common than might be imagined. If this were the case then one cell line could be S/S producing the blushing phenotype, whilst a second S/Z cell line could have formed the gonads

 

The jury is still out on this case, I believe Carol is looking at more spawns and counts based on the advice of all involved.

 

For those interested in furthering their knowledge on genetics, it truly is a great read for the lines of questioning and response and the dignity and interest shown by everyone in each other.

I leave the final word to Pterophyllum, but truly thank all involved with the quality of discussion on this thread.

 

“Quote” So as far as I'm concerned the real question is, "Where did the zebra gene come from?" Pterophyllum

Was it possible to have young fish with expression that has roots in Zebra genetics, (Clowns and Clown Blacks) spawned from parents who both had blushing genes?

 

 According to existing thinking it should not be possible as Zebra and Stripeless are alleles of each other.

 

From two fish that are both blushing type genetically, Carol is getting Clowns and Clown Blacks from the offspring, both being from Zebra stock

 

Enrique’s input, lucid as ever, suggests another line of thinking.

 

“Quote” For me, this is fuel to the fire. If you read my posting on all forums for the last 2-3 years you will see that I have always suspected that S and Z are not true alleles, and are part of a family of linked genes controlling coloration at a certain layer of skin… the body iridescence underneath the “colored” layers. Development offers clues… Do all silvers start with 3 stripes?? Quote”

 

Pterophyllum, on the forum added – Quote” As you point out blushing is the result of two stripeless genes, so mating two blushing individuals should result in 100% blushing fry.
Certainly phenotypically both adults appear to be blushing; and certainly the youngsters in the photos you posted appear not to be blushers.

Some of the young

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