Modification of wild-type carotenoid orange and pteridine red coloration and spotting of male ornaments 14 in both wild populations of Poecilia reticulata (Guppies) and modern Domestic Guppy strains by the Purple Body 15 gene has long been overlooked in research articles and little understood in breeder publications. This modification is 16 commonly found in wild-type Poecilia reticulata reticulata populations from numerous collection sites and has been 17 photographed but not recognized in these collections. It is non-existent or near absent in collections taken from 18 variant populations of Poecilia reticulata wingei. We identify and determine the mode of inheritance, cellular and 19 phenotypic expression by the Purple gene in these stocks. The Purple Body color pigment modification is a distinct 20 polymorphism in wild P. reticulata reticulata populations. Its existence suggests multiple benefits that satisfy female 21 sexual selection preferences, and minimize or reduce potential predation risks. Photographic and microscopic 22 evidence demonstrated that Purple Body is a normal polymorphism in wild and domestic guppies modifying color 23 pigment regions. Purple Body is inherited as an autosomal incompletely dominant trait.
Abstract. Our study revealed the presence of all major classes of chromatophores (melanophores, 14 xanthophores, erythrophores, violet-blue iridophores, xantho-erythrophores) and crystalline platelets in
Mature Purple Body and Non-Purple Body male guppies differ from each other in several ways. Non-Purple males may have large numbers of xanthophores, erythrophores, and blue iridophores, in addition to the usual dendritic, corolla and punctate melanophores. Fewer violet iridophores are found. In contrast, homozygous Purple Body males lack collected and clustered xanthophores, although isolated single xanthophores remain. Violet iridophores and blue iridophores (violet-blue chromatophores units) abound. The dendrites of dendritic melanophores are finer and form chains with each other. Punctate and corolla melanophores in areas comprising orange ornaments are greatly reduced in number. The heterozygous Purple Body male has erythrophores similar to those of non-Purple males, but yellow pigment is reduced. The melanophores are not as greatly changed in orange ornaments. In Domestic Guppy strains, and at least in one suspected instance in wild-type, melanophore structure and populations may be further modified by one or more additional autosomal genes.
Modification of wild-type carotenoid orange and pteridine red coloration and spotting of male ornaments 15 in modern Domestic Guppy Strains (Poecilia reticulata reticulata) by the naturally occurring Purple Body gene (Pb) 16 has been long incorporated into their strains by Pedigree Stock Breeders. It is inherited as an autosomal 17 incompletely dominant trait. Its existence has allowed breeders to produce a vast array of Purple based phenotypes.
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