Thought this info might be informative. I found this info here: http://www.herebdragons.com/traits/
Bearded Dragon Mutations
This page provides descriptions of known genetic mutations and morphs of bearded dragons. Any time these terms are used on our website, they have the meaning defined on this page. Keep in mind that the expression of these mutations can be affected by the influence of other genes, resulting in an a-typical representation of the trait. Only by knowing what to look for can you distinguish an a-typical animal from a false advertisement. Any dragons listed for sale by HereBDragons that have an a-typical expression of a mutation will have that noted in the animal's description.
Pigment Altering Mutations
Color Morphs
Hypo/Hypomelanism
Trans/Translucence
Albinoism
Leucistic
Pattern Altering Mutations
Dunner
Paradox
Witblits
Zero
The Leatherback Mutation Family
Leatherback
Recessive Leatherback
Silkback
Microscale
Genetic Terms
Dominant
Co-Dominant
Recessive
Pigment Altering Mutations
Pigments are responsible for creating color. Melanin, for example, is a pigment that produces brown colors that range from light tan to near black. Red and yellow coloration in bearded dragons are the result of two different pigments, and when both of these pigments are present, the dragon appears to be orange. In this section we will cover the mutations that have been discovered that change the amount of a pigment that a bearded dragon produces, but first a word on color morphs.
Color Morphs
Bearded dragons are often labeled by various color morphs, such as blood red, sand fire, and citrus. These color morphs are NOT mutations. A dragon's overall coloration and patterning are the result of many genes working together. There is no single gene that causes a dragon to fit into any of these color morphs. Because of this, coloration is not passed down from parent to offspring in an easily predictable way. Breeding together two very red dragons, for example, will create offspring that about the average of their parents in red coloration. But some offspring will be more vibrantly red then others. Some may even be very dull with very little red. The reason why the dragons can look very different is because they each receive a different combination of genes that are working together to generate color. For this reason, a dragon's value cannot be determined by being labeled with a color morph, because that label alone does not tell you how colorful that animal will be. You can gain a general idea of how colorful a dragon is likely to become by looking at its parents, but you can't know which dragons from the clutch will become the most colorful until they grow and develop that color.
Hypo/ Hypomelanism
Hypomelanism, also called hypo for short, is a recessive mutation that decreases the production of melanin, which is the protein responsible for brown coloration ranging from tan to near black. Hypo dragons can best be identified by having completely clear nails. Other areas of their body where melanin is produced are typically a light tan or silver grey color instead of a darker brown. This decrease in brown pigment better allows other colors such as red and yellow to show through, making for more colorful animals.
Trans/Translucence
Translucence, also called trans for short, is a recessive mutation that decreases the production of white pigment. Trans dragons can be identified by their solid black eyes, which give them a uniquely alien appearance. Trans dragons also have less white pigment in their scales, making their larger spikes appearing clear at the tips instead of milky white, and better allowing other colors to show through. Young trans dragons typically have a blue belly due to the partial transparency of their scales allowing the blue color of their internal body to show through. This blue disappears however as the dragon grows and develops thicker skin.
Albinoism
Albino animals are unable to produce any melanin, which causes them to be white and have red eyes. There are no true albino bearded dragons currently being bred. The dragons that are near white in color are able to produce melanin, but have been selectively bred to produce a reduced amount of it. Their coloration fits into the color morph category.
Leucistic
Leucistic animals are similar to albinos in that Leucistic animals produce a significantly reduced amount of melanin, while albinos cannot produce any melanin at all. Like albinoism, leucistic animals owe their unique appearance to a mutation. Currently there are no true leucistic bearded dragons. A line of bearded dragons was produced that was initially believed to be leucistic, however, breeding revealed that the reduced level of melanin observed was the result of several genes working in combination, and not any one genetic mutation. These animals are sometimes advertised as ‘visual leucistic’, which can be a confusing term as it is essentially meaningless. These animals are off-white in color and typically have yellow shading around their eyes. They fall into the color morph category.
Pattern Altering Mutations
A bearded dragon's normal patterning consists of bands of color that run from side to side along the back and tail. Typically the back looks like tiger stripes and the tail looks like bars. The mutations in this section cause changes in this normal patterning.
Dunner
Dunner is a dominant trait that alters the dragon’s patterning and the direction of the scales. The dunner mutation causes the pattern direction to run from head to tail instead of from side to side, and forms spots instead of stripes. Dunner dragons can also be quickly identified by the direction of their scales. The scales of a non-dunner dragon are neatly arranged and run from head to tail. The scales of a dunner dragon have a less organized arrangement and point towards the sides. This is most noticeable on the beard and belly. Dunner dragons have the unusual tendency to store their food in the back of their throat before swallowing it. Hatchlings that eat too much food at once or prey that are too large may vomit their food back up several hours later due to this odd eating habit. With a proper diet, hatchlings quickly outgrow this issue. Eliminating this behavioral issue from hatchling dunners is one of our priorities at our breeding facility.
Paradox
Like color morphs, paradox is not caused by any one specific mutation. It is the result of several genes working in combination. Paradox dragons are identified by irregular, non-symmetric blotches of color that can appear anywhere on their body and are not explained by any other known mutation. Paradox dragons are some of the most visually interesting dragons available.
Witblits
Witblits is a recessive mutation. It was discovered relatively recently, and causes the dragon to be one solid color with no stripes, spots, or other patterning. Witblits dragons are a tan, sandy color.
Zero
Zero is a recessive mutation that was discovered relatively recently. Like Witblits, the zero mutation causes the dragon to be one solid color with no stripes, spots, or patterning. Zero dragons are an elegant silver color.
The Leatherback Mutation Family
Leatherback is a family of three separate mutations that all have the effect of reducing the size and number of spikes.
Leatherback
The first leatherback mutation was discovered by a breeder in Italy and was referred to as the Italian leatherback. At a later date, a mutation that is believed to be separate was discovered by an American breeder and was referred to as American leatherback. Today these two mutations are indistinguishable from one another and are collectively referred to as leatherback. Leatherback is a co-dominant mutation. Dragons that are heterozygous for leatherback do not have any spikes on their back or limbs. They have one row of spikes on each side of their body, and they also have spikes on their head and neck. Their back and limbs are covered with smooth scales that are uniform in size. Dragons that are homozygous for the leatherback mutation are called silkback which is described further below.
It is sometimes claimed that Italian leatherbacks have a completely smooth back and American leatherbacks have two rows of small spikes on their back. This is not accurate. Some leatherback dragons have two rows of small spikes on their back, but this is caused by the influence of other genes. Breeding these dragons can produce offspring that have completely smooth backs and visa versa. The American and Italian mutations are most likely mutations that occurred in the same gene and have the same effect. They may even be genetically the same.
Recessive Leatherback
A recessive form of leatherback also exists, which causes the same elimination of spikes on most of the dragon's body as the co-dominant forms of leatherback. There is no visual distinction between any of the three forms of leatherback. The only way to determine if a leatherback dragon possesses the recessive form is through breeding the dragon and observing the results.
Silkback
Dragons that are homozygous for either of the co-dominant forms of leatherback are referred to as silkback. Silkbacks cannot result from the recessive leatherback mutation. This means that the two co-dominant leatherback mutations are different mutations of the same gene. Silkback dragons have skin with no spikes or scales anywhere on their body. The complete absence of scales gives silkback dragons a very unique appearance, which some people find interesting and others find unsettling, and unappealing. Silkback dragons have delicate skin and benefit from regular soaks to assist in shedding. Female silkbacks should not be used as breeders, as their skin is easily injured during mating. Male silkback dragons, however, can be bred without issue. It is best to not even house female silk back dragons with other females, as the mild aggression that females can show towards one another that do not injure a regular bearded dragon, can injure a silkback dragon due to their lack of protective scales.
Microscale
Microscale is the most common mutation that I see being inaccurately advertised by other breeders. Most of the dragons that I have seen advertised as Microscale are not. Microscale dragons are produced by combining the recessive leatherback mutation with the dominant leatherback. The result of this combination is a dragon that develops spikes only on its head and beard. A leatherback dragon has one row of spikes running down each side of its body, as well as spikes on its head and beard. A Microscale dragon does not have any spikes on its body. The row of side spikes is completely eliminated, and the spikes on the head and beard are reduced to being not much larger then the rest of the scales. The identifying characteristics of microscale dragons are not widely understood, which leaves buyers vulnerable to false advertisements. If a bearded dragon has any spikes running down the side of its body then it is not a microscale.
Genetic Terms
This section provides definitions of the words used to describe genes and how they operate that are used else where on this page.
Dominant
A genetic trait is dominant when it only needs to be inherited from one parent in order to express itself. An example of this is the dunner mutation. A dragon that inherits the dunner mutation from one or both parents, will express the visual characteristics of the trait.
Co-dominant
A genetic trait is co-dominant when it will express itself when inherited from one parent, but will express itself to an even greater extent when inherited from both parents. An example of this is the co-dominant leatherback mutation. A dragon that inherits this mutation from one parent will be leatherback, and a dragon that inherits this mutation from both of its parents will be silkback.
Recessive
A genetic trait is recessive when it needs to be inherited from both parents in order to express itself. An example of this is the hypo mutation. A dragon that inherits this mutation from only one parent is considered a carrier, but it will not display the visual effects of the mutation (it will not have clear nails. A dragon that inherits this mutation from both of its parents will have clear nails.
Bearded Dragon Mutations
This page provides descriptions of known genetic mutations and morphs of bearded dragons. Any time these terms are used on our website, they have the meaning defined on this page. Keep in mind that the expression of these mutations can be affected by the influence of other genes, resulting in an a-typical representation of the trait. Only by knowing what to look for can you distinguish an a-typical animal from a false advertisement. Any dragons listed for sale by HereBDragons that have an a-typical expression of a mutation will have that noted in the animal's description.
Pigment Altering Mutations
Color Morphs
Hypo/Hypomelanism
Trans/Translucence
Albinoism
Leucistic
Pattern Altering Mutations
Dunner
Paradox
Witblits
Zero
The Leatherback Mutation Family
Leatherback
Recessive Leatherback
Silkback
Microscale
Genetic Terms
Dominant
Co-Dominant
Recessive
Pigment Altering Mutations
Pigments are responsible for creating color. Melanin, for example, is a pigment that produces brown colors that range from light tan to near black. Red and yellow coloration in bearded dragons are the result of two different pigments, and when both of these pigments are present, the dragon appears to be orange. In this section we will cover the mutations that have been discovered that change the amount of a pigment that a bearded dragon produces, but first a word on color morphs.
Color Morphs
Bearded dragons are often labeled by various color morphs, such as blood red, sand fire, and citrus. These color morphs are NOT mutations. A dragon's overall coloration and patterning are the result of many genes working together. There is no single gene that causes a dragon to fit into any of these color morphs. Because of this, coloration is not passed down from parent to offspring in an easily predictable way. Breeding together two very red dragons, for example, will create offspring that about the average of their parents in red coloration. But some offspring will be more vibrantly red then others. Some may even be very dull with very little red. The reason why the dragons can look very different is because they each receive a different combination of genes that are working together to generate color. For this reason, a dragon's value cannot be determined by being labeled with a color morph, because that label alone does not tell you how colorful that animal will be. You can gain a general idea of how colorful a dragon is likely to become by looking at its parents, but you can't know which dragons from the clutch will become the most colorful until they grow and develop that color.
Hypo/ Hypomelanism
Hypomelanism, also called hypo for short, is a recessive mutation that decreases the production of melanin, which is the protein responsible for brown coloration ranging from tan to near black. Hypo dragons can best be identified by having completely clear nails. Other areas of their body where melanin is produced are typically a light tan or silver grey color instead of a darker brown. This decrease in brown pigment better allows other colors such as red and yellow to show through, making for more colorful animals.
Trans/Translucence
Translucence, also called trans for short, is a recessive mutation that decreases the production of white pigment. Trans dragons can be identified by their solid black eyes, which give them a uniquely alien appearance. Trans dragons also have less white pigment in their scales, making their larger spikes appearing clear at the tips instead of milky white, and better allowing other colors to show through. Young trans dragons typically have a blue belly due to the partial transparency of their scales allowing the blue color of their internal body to show through. This blue disappears however as the dragon grows and develops thicker skin.
Albinoism
Albino animals are unable to produce any melanin, which causes them to be white and have red eyes. There are no true albino bearded dragons currently being bred. The dragons that are near white in color are able to produce melanin, but have been selectively bred to produce a reduced amount of it. Their coloration fits into the color morph category.
Leucistic
Leucistic animals are similar to albinos in that Leucistic animals produce a significantly reduced amount of melanin, while albinos cannot produce any melanin at all. Like albinoism, leucistic animals owe their unique appearance to a mutation. Currently there are no true leucistic bearded dragons. A line of bearded dragons was produced that was initially believed to be leucistic, however, breeding revealed that the reduced level of melanin observed was the result of several genes working in combination, and not any one genetic mutation. These animals are sometimes advertised as ‘visual leucistic’, which can be a confusing term as it is essentially meaningless. These animals are off-white in color and typically have yellow shading around their eyes. They fall into the color morph category.
Pattern Altering Mutations
A bearded dragon's normal patterning consists of bands of color that run from side to side along the back and tail. Typically the back looks like tiger stripes and the tail looks like bars. The mutations in this section cause changes in this normal patterning.
Dunner
Dunner is a dominant trait that alters the dragon’s patterning and the direction of the scales. The dunner mutation causes the pattern direction to run from head to tail instead of from side to side, and forms spots instead of stripes. Dunner dragons can also be quickly identified by the direction of their scales. The scales of a non-dunner dragon are neatly arranged and run from head to tail. The scales of a dunner dragon have a less organized arrangement and point towards the sides. This is most noticeable on the beard and belly. Dunner dragons have the unusual tendency to store their food in the back of their throat before swallowing it. Hatchlings that eat too much food at once or prey that are too large may vomit their food back up several hours later due to this odd eating habit. With a proper diet, hatchlings quickly outgrow this issue. Eliminating this behavioral issue from hatchling dunners is one of our priorities at our breeding facility.
Paradox
Like color morphs, paradox is not caused by any one specific mutation. It is the result of several genes working in combination. Paradox dragons are identified by irregular, non-symmetric blotches of color that can appear anywhere on their body and are not explained by any other known mutation. Paradox dragons are some of the most visually interesting dragons available.
Witblits
Witblits is a recessive mutation. It was discovered relatively recently, and causes the dragon to be one solid color with no stripes, spots, or other patterning. Witblits dragons are a tan, sandy color.
Zero
Zero is a recessive mutation that was discovered relatively recently. Like Witblits, the zero mutation causes the dragon to be one solid color with no stripes, spots, or patterning. Zero dragons are an elegant silver color.
The Leatherback Mutation Family
Leatherback is a family of three separate mutations that all have the effect of reducing the size and number of spikes.
Leatherback
The first leatherback mutation was discovered by a breeder in Italy and was referred to as the Italian leatherback. At a later date, a mutation that is believed to be separate was discovered by an American breeder and was referred to as American leatherback. Today these two mutations are indistinguishable from one another and are collectively referred to as leatherback. Leatherback is a co-dominant mutation. Dragons that are heterozygous for leatherback do not have any spikes on their back or limbs. They have one row of spikes on each side of their body, and they also have spikes on their head and neck. Their back and limbs are covered with smooth scales that are uniform in size. Dragons that are homozygous for the leatherback mutation are called silkback which is described further below.
It is sometimes claimed that Italian leatherbacks have a completely smooth back and American leatherbacks have two rows of small spikes on their back. This is not accurate. Some leatherback dragons have two rows of small spikes on their back, but this is caused by the influence of other genes. Breeding these dragons can produce offspring that have completely smooth backs and visa versa. The American and Italian mutations are most likely mutations that occurred in the same gene and have the same effect. They may even be genetically the same.
Recessive Leatherback
A recessive form of leatherback also exists, which causes the same elimination of spikes on most of the dragon's body as the co-dominant forms of leatherback. There is no visual distinction between any of the three forms of leatherback. The only way to determine if a leatherback dragon possesses the recessive form is through breeding the dragon and observing the results.
Silkback
Dragons that are homozygous for either of the co-dominant forms of leatherback are referred to as silkback. Silkbacks cannot result from the recessive leatherback mutation. This means that the two co-dominant leatherback mutations are different mutations of the same gene. Silkback dragons have skin with no spikes or scales anywhere on their body. The complete absence of scales gives silkback dragons a very unique appearance, which some people find interesting and others find unsettling, and unappealing. Silkback dragons have delicate skin and benefit from regular soaks to assist in shedding. Female silkbacks should not be used as breeders, as their skin is easily injured during mating. Male silkback dragons, however, can be bred without issue. It is best to not even house female silk back dragons with other females, as the mild aggression that females can show towards one another that do not injure a regular bearded dragon, can injure a silkback dragon due to their lack of protective scales.
Microscale
Microscale is the most common mutation that I see being inaccurately advertised by other breeders. Most of the dragons that I have seen advertised as Microscale are not. Microscale dragons are produced by combining the recessive leatherback mutation with the dominant leatherback. The result of this combination is a dragon that develops spikes only on its head and beard. A leatherback dragon has one row of spikes running down each side of its body, as well as spikes on its head and beard. A Microscale dragon does not have any spikes on its body. The row of side spikes is completely eliminated, and the spikes on the head and beard are reduced to being not much larger then the rest of the scales. The identifying characteristics of microscale dragons are not widely understood, which leaves buyers vulnerable to false advertisements. If a bearded dragon has any spikes running down the side of its body then it is not a microscale.
Genetic Terms
This section provides definitions of the words used to describe genes and how they operate that are used else where on this page.
Dominant
A genetic trait is dominant when it only needs to be inherited from one parent in order to express itself. An example of this is the dunner mutation. A dragon that inherits the dunner mutation from one or both parents, will express the visual characteristics of the trait.
Co-dominant
A genetic trait is co-dominant when it will express itself when inherited from one parent, but will express itself to an even greater extent when inherited from both parents. An example of this is the co-dominant leatherback mutation. A dragon that inherits this mutation from one parent will be leatherback, and a dragon that inherits this mutation from both of its parents will be silkback.
Recessive
A genetic trait is recessive when it needs to be inherited from both parents in order to express itself. An example of this is the hypo mutation. A dragon that inherits this mutation from only one parent is considered a carrier, but it will not display the visual effects of the mutation (it will not have clear nails. A dragon that inherits this mutation from both of its parents will have clear nails.
It's certain that someone put a lot of time + effort to gather all that info. A couple of things I'd point out that can be clarified just a bit is (1) Concerning silkbacks. This info rightly says that it's frowned upon to breed females since their delicate skin can tear but that males have no problems. A male silkie actually can injure his mouth to a degree when mating as he bites the back of the normal scaled or leatherback female dragon. (2) The point made about high color dragons [ reds ] not being worth more. The high end reds have always been higher priced + more sought after, and they do very reliably produce like offspring, although of course there is variation in each clutch. But each baby will still carry the potential itself then to produce high color offspring with other high color dragons .
