Genetics and biology of coloration in reptiles: the curious case of the Lemon Frost geckos

Abstract

Although there are more than 10,000 reptile species, and reptiles have historically contributed to our understanding of biology, genetics research into class Reptilia has lagged compared with other animals. Here, we summarize recent progress in genetics of coloration in reptiles, with a focus on the leopard gecko, Eublepharis macularius. We highlight genetic approaches that have been used to examine variation in color and pattern formation in this species as well as to provide insights into mechanisms underlying skin cancer. We propose that their long breeding history in captivity makes leopard geckos one of the most promising emerging reptilian models for genetic studies. More broadly, technological advances in genetics, genomics, and gene editing may herald a golden era for studies of reptile biology.

Skin Ultrastructural Analysis Reveals a Lack of Iridophores in Adult Individuals of Differently-Colored Species of Galápagos Iguanas

“…Some factors, such as temperature and stress, that may affect color patterns and are mediated by iridophores have been investigated (25,29). In general, advances in genome sequencing allow for tackling genetic mechanisms of coloration in reptiles from a genomic perspective, brie y reviewed by Guo and Kruglyak (30). However, the mechanisms that may cause the lack of iridophores are still insu ciently known in squamates and are obscure in Galápagos iguanas.…”