Line breeding

[CrestedRick]

Can anyone explain to me what “line breeding” is? I have a handful of hatchlings and I’m looking to hold a few back depending on sex and coloration. I’m curious as they’re primarily brown with high red/orange pin striping and Harley markings. I’d like to bring more of the high red/orange out. Just looking for clarification as what line breeding is. Thanks!

 

[acpart]

"Line breeding" means choosing geckos that possess the visual characteristics you like and breeding them together to hopefully produce an even better looking specimen. I think it's called "line breeding" because usually this involves breeding from the same "line" of geckos, ie. breeding gecko that are related to each other. This is acceptable for a few generations. Usually people who do this kind of breeding will, after a few generations, breed to a gecko that's not related in order to maintain genetic diversity. This is called "outcrossing' and kind of goes hand in hand with "line breeding" to produce geckos that are the best representations of the characteristics you like but also genetically diverse enough to produce future generations of healthy offspring.

Make sense?

Aliza

 

[CrestedRick]

Yes! I thought that’s what it meant but wasn’t sure about breeding related geckos together. I always see that as a “no-no” simply bc well humans don’t work out that well when this happens lol

 

[acpart]

I have been told that less genetically complicated creatures can tolerate more inbreeding. Think of bugs, for example.

Aliza

 

[CrestedRick]

I’m definitely going to work this into my breeding! Also I may be contacting you in regards to some day geckos that you’ve worked with.