Red-Footed Tortoise Diversity Traits

Marketplace Support Genetics & Species
1

Gene Request Form

Facts

Species:
Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)

Name of Gene:

  1. CBF1
  2. CBF2
  3. CBFX

Trait Type:
Other

First produced by whom:

  • CBF1: Refers to offspring produced from two wild-caught (WC), ideally Long-Term Captive (LTC), parents.
  • CBF2: Refers to offspring where both parents are confirmed CBF1 individuals.
  • CBFX: Refers to any generation beyond CBF2 or mixed generations (e.g., CBF1 x CBF2).

Year First Produced:
Not applicable; these traits reflect breeding lineage and documentation rather than specific genetic discovery.

Genetics Type:
Descriptive

In complex with other genes?:
No

Other names/aliases for it?:
None

Description:

  • CBF1 (Captive Bred F1): Designates the first generation of offspring bred in captivity from two wild-caught (WC), ideally LTC, parents. This classification reflects the highest genetic diversity available directly from wild populations.
  • CBF2 (Captive Bred F2): Refers to the second generation of captive-bred individuals, where both parents are confirmed CBF1 individuals.
  • CBFX (Captive Bred FX): Represents any generation beyond CBF2 or those resulting from mixed generational pairings (e.g., CBF1 x CBF2).

These traits provide clarity and transparency regarding the genetic diversity of captive-bred individuals, allowing breeders to make informed decisions while maintaining genetic integrity within breeding programs.

Appearance:
These traits reflect lineage and genetic diversity, not physical appearance.

Proven Lines:

  • CBF1: Proven through lineage documentation showing both parents as wild-caught (WC), ideally LTC.
  • CBF2: Proven through lineage documentation showing both parents as CBF1 individuals.
  • CBFX: Proven through lineage documentation of generations beyond CBF2 or mixed pairings.

Proven:
These traits rely entirely on rigorous documentation and record-keeping of parentage to ensure accurate classification.

Unique:
These traits provide essential clarity regarding generational diversity and promote responsible breeding practices by documenting lineage accurately.

Problems:

  • Requires detailed, verifiable record-keeping to maintain the integrity of classifications.
  • Potential for misuse if lineage data is incomplete or inaccurate.

History:
Generational tracking terminology such as F1, F2, and FX is widely used across reptile breeding communities (e.g., snakes, lizards). Its application to red-footed tortoises aligns with these industry standards and highlights the importance of maintaining genetic diversity and traceable lineages in captive breeding.

Disagreement or Controversy:

  • Breeders without complete lineage records may resist implementing these classifications.
  • Debate may arise over the use of “CBFX” for mixed generational pairings.

References:

Trait Type Justification:
These traits are classified as Other because they are descriptive lineage-based terms rather than phenotypic, genetic, or locality traits. They serve to track generational diversity and genetic transparency within breeding programs.

Please attach at least 3 photos you have rights to which you are granting to be used on MorphMarket, Including 1 image next to a Normal/WT animal:
N/A — These traits describe lineage and generational history, not appearance.

2 Likes
2

I’m not understanding how this really adds to or changes MorphMarket’s already available animal origin options, which you have linked the page as reference.

CBF1 is the same as captive hatched, CBF2 & CBFX are considered either captive bred (if not bred by the seller) or self-produced. You can then note which generation in the animal’s title or description.

3 Likes
3

@noodlehaus Good point!

Relying only on titles and descriptions means there’s no consistency or standardized way to highlight the generation of a tortoise. Since descriptions and titles aren’t searchable for traits (other than searching for non-standardized substrings that match), anyone interested in specific generation statuses like F1 or F2 has to manually comb through listings, hoping the seller included that information (and used the same terminology).

By creating traits, this data becomes structured, searchable, and transparent. For redfoots, where wild genetics are still actively contributing to the captive population, this is particularly important. It allows breeders to easily find CBF1 animals or specific generations to pair with their stock, helping maintain genetic diversity and reduce the risk of inbreeding. Traits make the process efficient and standardized, avoiding inconsistencies and saving time for breeders and buyers alike. This approach benefits the entire redfoot community by preserving the long-term health of the species in captivity.

EDIT: Open to using F1, F2, FX instead of CBF1, CBF2, CBFX since “captive bred” is already assumed. Keeps it simple and clear!

1 Like
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I 100% get the reasoning here, but I agree with @noodlehaus. I am not sure this is the best way to achieve this and it muddies the waters for Trait Tags.

Descriptions, you’re right. They are not searchable.
Titles, however, are searchable using the Keyword search filter.

You can even add a - before the Keyword to eliminate the Keyword from your search. For example, this will eliminate ads with Bolivian in the title:

@owalreptiles I would like to hear if you have any thoughts/ideas on this one.

2 Likes