Black Base
Type: Dominant
Aliases: Genotype BB
Issues: N/A
First Produced In: Unknown
Availability: Common
Last Updated: 2023-02-07
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About
Black Base is Fixed Dominant, which means that the wild-type population has a single phenotype. In the reptile world, we call this the Normal morph. All other mutations have not survived through natural selection and only one morph has managed to survive and is dominant in the population. A Normal Ball Python is a great example as it is the Fixed Dominant morph found in the wild [1]
History
At the onset of our hobby, some wild-type animals were described as buckskin, but there was a range of interpretations. Some were very dark, like what we call black and brown base, and some were a light tan or dirty yellow. These geckos, after reviewing some historical photos, appear to be displaying combinations of traits. The effects of them being naturally combined are beneficial, and/or not harmful for survival in the wild. From these variations, it is fairly easy to see how black base, yellow base, phantom, and hypo forms began to emerge more with selective breeding causing them to separate into distinct phenotypes. [2]
Appearance
Body
Black Base is the most prevalent base color in the hobby. It contributes to the overall color of the other base colors. It comes in several variations from brown-colored to pitch-black. The trait appears to be non-allelic with the other two primary base colors. Black base animals can display both White Patterning (WP) and Orange Patterning (OP) or either one individually. [3]
Controversy
The term polymorphic was used to describe these animals and is correct, however, it became interpreted wrong in the hobby. This single interpretation has slowed the advancement of genetic understanding, in our community, more than any other factor to date. Please refer to “Polymorphic” in part 1 of Foundation Genetics.[4]
Proven Lines
Pangea Black Project
Related Traits
Primary Base Colors:
Red Base, Yellow Base
Wild observed animals tend to display brown hues of melanin, observed especially on the head-stamp. This color is far from the black-based animals we tend to breed more for in the hobby. The brown coloration, originally referred to as “Buckskin,” has been pulled out over the years but there are several animals in the hobby that still display the color. The headstamp is one of the areas that hold onto this coloration the most. Many generations are required to pull these brown tones out.[5]
Combos
Lavender (Black Base, Hypo)
Charcoal (Black Base, Phantom)
Charcoal Crested Gecko by Whitetankexotics
Charcoal Crested Gecko by Sinister G Exotics
Female Charcoal Crested Gecko by Limited Edition Geckos CO LLC
Lavender Quadstripe (RTB) Crested Gecko by Chondros & Cresties
Beautiful Orange Lavender Extreme Harlequin Pinstripe Crested Gecko by Jaski Exotics
High White Crested Gecko by New Creature Reptiles
Juvenile Black Project Crested Gecko by Pangea Reptile
