Red-Footed Tortoise Locality Integrity Traits

Marketplace Support Genetics & Species
1

Gene Request Form

Facts

Species:
Red-Footed Tortoise (Chelonoidis carbonarius)

Name of Gene:

  1. Isolated
  2. Primary Intergrade
  3. Secondary Intergrade
  4. Unverified

Trait Type:
Locality

First produced by whom:

  • Isolated: Result of breeding programs focused on pure localities.
  • Primary Intergrade: Occurs naturally in overlapping ranges or adjacent populations.
  • Secondary Intergrade: Breeding by humans of distant populations that would not naturally interbreed.
  • Unverified: Tortoises with undocumented or unknown locality origins.

Year First Produced:
N/A — Represents breeding practices rather than a specific discovery.

Genetics Type:
Descriptive

In complex with other genes?:
No

Other names/aliases for it?:
None

Description:

  • Isolated: Refers to tortoises bred exclusively within a single locality, preserving their genetic integrity and phenotypic traits.
  • Primary Intergrade: Describes the offspring of two distinct but adjacent populations with overlapping ranges (e.g., tortoises from Guyana and Suriname).
  • Secondary Intergrade: Denotes offspring resulting from the breeding of two geographically distant populations that would not naturally interbreed in the wild (e.g., tortoises from Brazil and Panama).
  • Unverified: Indicates that the tortoise lacks proper locality documentation or its origins are unknown.

Appearance:
These traits describe breeding history and locality integrity, not physical appearance. However:

  • Isolated: Retains the phenotype of the single locality.
  • Primary Intergrade: Often blends physical traits of the two adjacent populations.
  • Secondary Intergrade: Displays mixed traits from the distinct populations, which may be more pronounced due to greater genetic distance.
  • Unverified: Phenotypic traits may vary widely due to unknown or mixed lineage.

Proven Lines:

  • Isolated: Proven by consistent parentage and record-keeping of a single locality.
  • Primary Intergrade: Verified by parentage records indicating adjacent population crossings.
  • Secondary Intergrade: Verified through documentation of distinct population pairings.
  • Unverified: Reflects lack of proven parentage.

Proven:

  • Isolated: Well-established as standard practice in locality-focused breeding.
  • Primary Intergrade: Natural occurrence documented in the wild and managed intentionally by breeders.
  • Secondary Intergrade: Intentional mixing by breeders with documented parentage.
  • Unverified: Represents a lack of proven parentage.

Unique:
These traits standardize how locality and lineage are represented, ensuring transparency and accuracy in breeding and purchasing practices.

Problems:

  • None for Isolated or Intergrades.
  • Potential for misuse or mislabeling in Unverified cases.

History:

  • Isolated: Reflects decades of breeding efforts to preserve localities.
  • Primary Intergrade: Known from overlapping populations in the wild.
  • Secondary Intergrade: Introduced in captive breeding programs to enhance genetic diversity or create novel phenotypes.
  • Unverified: Commonly used to describe animals without verifiable locality records.

Disagreement or Controversy:

  • Some breeders may not differentiate between Primary and Secondary Intergrades.
  • Unverified may face resistance from breeders prioritizing aesthetics over locality integrity.

References:

Trait Type Justification:
These traits fall under Locality because they refine how a locality is described, whether it is pure, intergrade (natural or artificial), or unverified. They align directly with lineage documentation and geographic population distinctions.

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 locality, not appearance.

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