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sschind · 05-15-2007, 09:18 PM

One thing for sure you would not get hets. The terms Heterozygous and homozygous refer to specific genetic traits (color, pattern etc.) and not to all the genetic traits that are used to determine species, or in this case subspecies.

I believe that the most accepted classification for what you are proposing would be an intergrade, which is, for the most part, accepted as meaning a pairing of two different subspecies. Although I have heard some people claiming that the term intergrade should be reserved for subspecies whose natural distribution would overlap allowing potential breeding between sub- species in the wild. I can't recall what term they were suggesting be used for a pairing of different subspecies whose natural ranges do not overlap.

Most people reserve the term Hybrid for a cross between 2 separate species. (T. sirtalis and T. radix for example) or between 2 separate genus. (Thamnophis and Nerodia) for example. Some people make further distinctions such as Interspecific (between species) hybridization in the case of the former, and intergeneric (between genera) hybridization in the case of the latter.

As for what you should attempt to breed your T.s.sirtalis with, only you can decide that. Personally, I don't like hybrids at all, and I only feel a little less opposed to intergrades and I would only be inclined to be in favor of them in cases of natural (in the wild) intergradation. Other people don't have a problem with intergrades or hybrids. The main concern, whatever you decide is that you make sure that anyone who buys your babies knows exactly what they are. If they are intergrades between T.s.infernalis and T.s.sirtalis you have to make sure that the buyers know this. The problem, and this is where most of the opposition to hybridization and intergradation comes from, is that you might make sure that your buyers know what the true genetics of your snake is but you can never be sure what that person might do. If they are not serious about snakes they may decide to get rid of it in a few years and they may not be as forthcoming about what the snake actually is. The result is the potential for breeding an impure subspecies without knowing it.

05-15-2007, 09:18 PM	#4 (permalink)
sschind "Preparing For Second shed" Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: SE Wisconsin Posts: 203 Country:	Re: Quick Question One thing for sure you would not get hets. The terms Heterozygous and homozygous refer to specific genetic traits (color, pattern etc.) and not to all the genetic traits that are used to determine species, or in this case subspecies. I believe that the most accepted classification for what you are proposing would be an intergrade, which is, for the most part, accepted as meaning a pairing of two different subspecies. Although I have heard some people claiming that the term intergrade should be reserved for subspecies whose natural distribution would overlap allowing potential breeding between sub- species in the wild. I can't recall what term they were suggesting be used for a pairing of different subspecies whose natural ranges do not overlap. Most people reserve the term Hybrid for a cross between 2 separate species. (T. sirtalis and T. radix for example) or between 2 separate genus. (Thamnophis and Nerodia) for example. Some people make further distinctions such as Interspecific (between species) hybridization in the case of the former, and intergeneric (between genera) hybridization in the case of the latter. As for what you should attempt to breed your T.s.sirtalis with, only you can decide that. Personally, I don't like hybrids at all, and I only feel a little less opposed to intergrades and I would only be inclined to be in favor of them in cases of natural (in the wild) intergradation. Other people don't have a problem with intergrades or hybrids. The main concern, whatever you decide is that you make sure that anyone who buys your babies knows exactly what they are. If they are intergrades between T.s.infernalis and T.s.sirtalis you have to make sure that the buyers know this. The problem, and this is where most of the opposition to hybridization and intergradation comes from, is that you might make sure that your buyers know what the true genetics of your snake is but you can never be sure what that person might do. If they are not serious about snakes they may decide to get rid of it in a few years and they may not be as forthcoming about what the snake actually is. The result is the potential for breeding an impure subspecies without knowing it.